Power managers and methods for operating power managers

ABSTRACT

Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 based upon U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/816,080, entitled “PORTABLE POWER MANAGEROPERATING METHODS” and filed Jun. 15, 2010, which claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 119(e) based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/270,602, entitled “POWER MANAGER” and filed Jul. 10, 2009, andfurther based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/283,536, entitled “POWER MANAGER” and filed Dec. 4, 2009. The entirecontents of both applications are incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/816,080 is related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/815,994, entitled “PORTABLE POWER MANAGER” andfiled Jun. 15, 2010 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/816,325,entitled “PORTABLE POWER MANAGER ENCLOSURE” and filed Jun. 15, 2010.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Inventions disclosed herein relate to work performed under U.S. ArmyContract W911NF-08-C-0025 with the U.S. Army Research, Development andEngineering Command (RDECOM). The U.S. Government has certain rights inthe inventions disclosed herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable power manager configuredwith a plurality of device ports suitable for simultaneous electricalinterconnection with two or more external power devices. The externalpower devices include power sources, energy storage devices, power loadsand/or other power managers suitably configured to exchange power andcommunication signals there between. More specifically, the portablepower manager can include elements configured to establish a network ofpower devices and to exchange power between the portable power managerand networked external power devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable power managers for mobile off-grid applications are known.Examples include man-wearable and man-packable power managers e.g. theSPM 611/612, manufactured by Protonex Technology Corp of Southborough,Mass. and the SFC Power Manager 3G by SFC of Brunnthal-Nord, Germany.One example of a conventional power manager is disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2007/0257654. Conventional portable powermanagers connect with one or more rechargeable batteries or otherportably power sources and with one or more power loads. The powermanager receives input power from the connected power sources anddelivers output power to the connected power loads. If needed, inputand/or output power may be converted to another form, such and adifferent voltage, before being delivered to a power load.

Power distribution networks usable to deliver power from a single powersource to multiple electronic devices such as for passenger use invehicles or other areas where grid power is not readily available areknown. An example of a conventional power supply connection system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,002 by Castleman, entitled “UniversalPower-Supply Connection System For Multiple Electronic Devices.” Asdisclosed in Castleman, a single power supply is connected to one ormore power loads over a power distribution system. The powerdistribution system includes an input port for connecting the powersupply to the power distribution system and a plurality of output portsfor connecting the one or more power loads to the power distributionsystem. The power distribution system includes a digital electronicmicroprocessor and a reprogrammable system memory. Each power loadincludes a load memory disposed in the power load itself or in a cableconnecting the power load to the power distribution system. The loadmemory stores information specific to a corresponding power load such asa category of the device or the power specifications of the power load.

The power distribution system includes one or more voltage regulatorsand/or controllable regulators disposed between the power source andeach of the output ports. Additionally, each port includes a datachannel connectable between the microprocessor and the load memory forreading and perhaps reformatting the information stored thereon. Inoperation, the power distribution system obtains information from theload memory, determines if the power load can or should be connected tothe power distribution system and if yes, configures the one or morevoltage regulators and/or controllable regulators disposed between thepower source and the connected power load to deliver power to the powerload with appropriate power characteristics. In addition, Castlemanteaches that a controllable regulator can be deactivated to disconnect apower load from an output port. One problem with Castleman is that onlyone power supply is available for use. Accordingly, a failure of thesingle power supply necessarily results in a loss of power in all of theconnected power loads. Another problem with Castleman is that eachoutput port requires a dedicated controllable power regulator increasingthe weight and the cost of the power distribution system. Accordingly,there is a need in the art for a power distribution system than canreadily connect with a plurality of power supplies and especially aplurality of portable power supplies. Moreover, there is a need in theart for a power distribution system that can readily connect with aplurality of power supplies while drawing power from one power supply ata time. Additionally, there is a need in the art for a powerdistribution system that will not experience a power interruption toconnected power loads when a connected power supply is suddenlydisconnected from the power bus, becomes discharged, or otherwisebecomes unexpectedly unable to deliver power.

Conventional portable power managers are known that are capable ofconnecting to two or more external power sources simultaneously. Inaddition, conventional power managers connect to, read and possiblyreformat information or data stored on connected power devices includingreading information from power sources such as external batteries orpower generators and from external power loads. Typically, theconventional power manager includes a power bus connected to each deviceport. The power bus operates at a substantially constant bus voltagesuch that external power devices that can operate at the bus voltage aredirectly connected to the power bus to exchange energy. In addition,some ports may include a power converter connected between the power busand the device port to convert input power signals received from aconnected external power source to the bus voltage and to convert outputpower signals delivered from the power bus to a voltage suitable foroperating a connected external power load.

While U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0257654 by Krajcovicet al. entitled “Power Manager Apparatus,” describes the need todisconnect and/or current limit connected power loads to conserve powerfor higher priority power loads they only provide two output ports thatare coupled to the power bus over a buck converter. Accordingly, onlytwo power loads can be disconnected or current limited by the buckconverters and all other power loads remain connected to the power buswithout possibility for disconnect. Moreover any power loads connectedto device ports that do not include buck converters have to match thepower value at the power bus in order to be powered by the powermanager.

Generally, there is a need in the art for an improved power manager portconnection and especially one that allows every port to dynamicallyconnect or disconnect a power device to or from the power bus.Additionally there is a need in the art for an improved power managerport connection that allows every port to be selectively connecteddirectly to the power bus or connected to the power bus over acontrollable power converter based on information read from the powerdevice. In another instance, there is a need to continue to poweressential devices even when changing from one power source to another orwhen a power source becomes suddenly and unexpectedly unable to meet thepower demands of connected power loads. Accordingly, there is a need torapidly connect a backup power supply to the power bus in response tounmet power demands.

Conventional man-portable power managers are portable and carried byinfantry soldiers; any reduction in size and weight is favorably viewed.As shown by Krajcivic et al. in FIGS. 2 and 3 of U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0257654, port connectors are disposed on opposinglongitudinal sides of the power manager such that a transverse width ofthe disclosed power manager is more than two times a longitudinal lengthof a port connector. Moreover, the ports are crowded together and may bedifficult to connect to due to the crowding. There is a need in the artto reduce port crowding without increasing the size or weight of thedevice.

In man-portable, off grid applications, such as battlefields,non-rechargeable batteries such as the BA-5590 are used as a powersource connected to conventional power managers. To avoid discardingBA-5590 with 30% to 50% of the rated charge still remaining on thebatteries, some non-rechargeable batteries provide indicators thatindicate the amount of charge remaining in the battery. These indicatorsare often physical, such as a strip on the side of a battery or an LEDcharge level indicator built into the battery to show how much energy isin reserve. One problem with the BA-5590-style charge level indicatorsis that they have low resolution. In particular, on a BA-5590, there are5 LED lights showing 100% capacity when all 5 lights are on, 80%capacity when 4 lights are on, 60% capacity when 3 lights are on, 40%capacity when two lights are on, 20% capacity when one light is on andempty or no charge remaining when no lights are on. In most situations,a user will discard the battery when one or two lights are on in orderto avoid a loss of power when the battery becomes completely discharged.As a result, many batteries are discarded with between 20 and 40% of thecharge capacity unused. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to morefully utilize the charge remaining on non-rechargeable batteriesconnected to a power manager.

The charge remaining on many rechargeable batteries, e.g. lithium sulfurdioxide (LiSO₂) and lithium magnesium dioxide (LiMnO₂) is not easilydetected using conventional terminal voltage measurements, so moresophisticated and more expensive coulomb counting devices are integratedinto these rechargeable batteries and are used to predict the chargelevel remaining on the rechargeable battery. One advantage of coulombcounters is that they have a higher resolution than LED charge levelindicators. For example, a coulomb counter may be able to discern 20levels of charge capacity with only the last 5% remaining uncertain.However, a coulomb counter does not provide a visible indicator ofremaining charge level and a user cannot check the charge level of arechargeable battery that uses a coulomb counter without connecting thebattery to a device capable of reading data from the battery. As aresult, these batteries are often discarded after one use simply becausethe user is uncertain about how much charge is remaining on the battery.Accordingly, there is a need in the art to more fully utilize the chargeremaining on rechargeable batteries connected to a power manager withoutan unexpected power interruption even when the charge level on therechargeable batteries is uncertain. In addition, it is desirable toeliminate a coulomb counter from rechargeable batteries used withportable power manager to reduce the cost and complexity of thebatteries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operatingmethods.

One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a powermanager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with externalpower devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. Themethod includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus whenno external power device is connected to the device port; accessinginformation from newly connected external power devices; determining ifthe newly connected external power devices can be connected to the powerbus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connectedexternal power devices can be connected to the power bus over anavailable power converter; and if so, configuring the available powerconverter for suitable power conversion.

This aspect can have a variety of embodiments. The method can includethe step of generating an error signal for each newly connected externalpower device that is not compatible for connection to the power bus.

The power manager can include two power channels disposed between eachdevice port and the power bus. One of the two power channels can includea power converter disposed between the device port and the power bus.The method can include the steps of: connecting the newly connectedexternal power devices that can be connected to the power bus withoutpower conversion over a first power channel; and connecting the newlyconnected external power devices that can be connected to the power busover an available power converter over a second power channel thatincludes the power converter.

The newly connected external power devices can include a rechargeableenergy source and the method can include the steps of: determining if apower source suitable for recharging the rechargeable energy source isoperably connected to the power manager; and one of: connecting therechargeable energy source to the power bus for recharging; connectingthe rechargeable energy source to the power bus for discharging; and notconnecting the rechargeable energy source to the power bus.

The step of connecting the rechargeable energy source to the power busfor recharging can include the steps of: determining if a plurality ofrechargeable energy storage devices are operably connected to the powermanager; and if so: selecting one of the plurality of rechargeableenergy storage devices for recharging; connecting the selectedrechargeable energy storage device to the power bus; and disconnectingthe non-selected rechargeable energy storage devices from the power bus.

The step of connecting the rechargeable energy source to the power busfor recharging can include the steps of: determining if a plurality ofrechargeable energy storage devices are operably connected to the powermanager; and if so: determining a remaining charge value for each of theplurality of rechargeable energy storage devices connected to the powermanager; selecting one of the plurality of rechargeable energy storagedevices for recharging according the determined remaining charge values;connecting the selected rechargeable energy source to the power bus; anddisconnecting the non-selected rechargeable energy storage devices fromthe power bus. The selecting step can select the rechargeable energysource with the highest remaining charge value.

The step of connecting the rechargeable energy storage device to thepower bus for discharging can include the steps of: determining if aplurality of rechargeable energy storage devices are operably connectedto the power manager; and if so: selecting one of the plurality ofrechargeable energy storage devices for recharging; connecting theselected rechargeable energy storage devices to the power bus; anddisconnecting the non-selected rechargeable energy storage devices fromthe power bus.

The step of connecting the rechargeable energy source to the power busfor discharging further can include: determining if a plurality ofrechargeable energy storage devices are operably connected to the powermanager; and if so: determining a remaining charge value for each of theplurality of rechargeable energy storage devices connected to the powermanager; selecting one of the plurality of rechargeable energy storagedevices for discharging according the determined remaining chargevalues; connecting the selected rechargeable energy source to the powerbus; and disconnecting the non-selected rechargeable energy storagedevices from the power bus. The selecting step can select therechargeable energy source with the lowest remaining charge value.

The newly connected external power devices can include a power or energysource and the method can further comprise the steps of: determining ifa plurality of power and energy sources are operably connected to thepower manager; and if not, connecting the power or energy source to thepower bus for powering power loads.

The newly connected external power devices can include a power or energysource and the method can include the steps of: determining if aplurality of power and energy sources are operably connected to thepower manager; and if so: determining a source priority for each of theplurality of power and energy sources; connecting the power or energysource with the highest source priority to the power bus for poweringpower loads; and disconnecting the power and energy sources having lowersource priorities from the power bus. The method can include: sensing apower characteristic of the power bus; generating a low power signal inresponse to the power bus power characteristic falling below a thresholdvalue; and connecting one or more of the disconnected rechargeableenergy storage devices to the power bus in response to the low powersignal.

The newly connected external power devices can include a power load andthe method can include the steps of; connecting the power load to thepower bus for powering; and not connecting the power load to the powerbus.

The newly connected external devices can include a non-rechargeableenergy source and the method can include the steps of: connecting thenon-rechargeable energy source to the power bus for discharging; and notconnecting the non-rechargeable energy source to the power bus.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a powermanger having a plurality of device ports for connecting with externalpower devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. Themethod includes: accessing information from each external power deviceconnected to one of the plurality of device ports; characterizing eachexternal power device as one of, a power load, a power or energy sourceand a rechargeable energy source and if no rechargeable energy sourcesare connected; associating external devices characterized as power loadswith a power allocation interface; associating external devicescharacterized as power or energy sources with a source allocationinterface; calculating a total power available from the sourceallocation interface; allocating the total power available to the powerallocation interface; and connecting as many power loads to the powerbus as can be powered by the total power available.

This aspect can have a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, one ormore rechargeable energy sources are connected and the method includes:determining if a power source suitable for recharging the connectedrechargeable energy sources is operably connected to the power manager;if a suitable power source is operably connected, characterizing therechargeable energy sources as power loads for association with thepower allocation interface; and if suitable power source is not operablyconnected, characterizing the rechargeable energy sources as energysources for association with the source allocation interface.

Each power load can have a load priority and the step of allocating thetotal power available to the power allocation interface can be performedin priority order from a highest priority power load to a lowestpriority power load. The method can include one of: connecting powerloads that are allocated power to the power bus; leaving power loadsthat are already connected to the power bus and that are allocated powerconnected to the power bus; disconnecting power loads that are notallocated power from the power bus; and leaving power loads that arealready disconnected from the power bus and that are not allocated powerdisconnected from the power bus.

The step of calculating the total power available can includecalculating a total average power available and a total peak poweravailable and the step of allocating the total power available to thepower allocation interface includes allocating the total average powerand the total peak power.

Each power source and each energy source can have a source priority andthe method can include: selecting the power source or the energy sourcewith the highest source priority for connection to the power bus;connecting the power source or the energy source with the highest sourcepriority to the power bus; disconnecting any remaining power sources orenergy sources from the power bus; and powering all of the power loadsconnected to the power bus with the power source or the energy sourcehaving the highest source priority.

The method can include: sensing voltage on the power bus; generating alow voltage signal in response to the power bus voltage falling below athreshold value; and connecting one or more of the disconnected powersources or energy sources to the power bus in response to the lowvoltage signal.

The step of connecting one or more of the disconnecting power or energysources to the power bus in response to the low voltage signal can occurin less than 10 msec. The step of connecting one or more of thedisconnecting power or energy sources to the power bus in response tothe low voltage signal can occur in less than 1 msec.

The low voltage signal can be conducted to semiconductor switchesdisposed on a conductive path between each of the disconnected power orenergy sources and the power bus. Each of the semiconductor switches canchange state in response to the low voltage signal. The change in statecan cause each of the disconnected power or energy sources to beconnected to the power bus over the conductive path between each of thedisconnected power or energy sources and the power bus.

The steps discussed herein can be repeated at a refresh rate rangingfrom once every 10 minutes to 10,000 times every second. The stepsdiscussed herein can be repeated at a refresh rate ranging from onceevery hour to 10,000 times every second.

The steps discussed herein can be repeated in response to an externalpower device being connected or disconnected from one of the pluralityof device ports. The steps discussed herein can be repeated in responseto an external power device being connected or disconnected from one ofthe plurality of device ports.

A second power manager can be connected to one of the plurality ofdevice ports and the method can include the step of exchanginginformation and power with the second power manager.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a powernetwork including the steps of: connecting a plurality of substantiallyidentical power managers together with one wire cable extending betweendevice ports of each pair of connected power managers; connecting atleast one power load to a first of the plurality of substantiallyidentical power managers; connecting at least one power or energy sourceto a second of the plurality of substantially identical power managers;and powering the power load by exchanging power between two or more ofthe connected power managers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention will best be understood from adetailed description of the invention and a preferred embodiment thereofselected for the purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram representing a power network thatincludes a power manager according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a single power managerpower network configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a multiple powermanager power network configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram representing elements of a firstexample embodiment of a power manager according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram representing elements of a secondmultiple power manager power network configuration according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram representing an example embodiment ofa power device connected by a cable to a port of the power manageraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram representing example communicationexchanges between load and source power allocation interfaces accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram representing a power managerincorporated with a power device and battery power sources according tothe present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram representing a second exampleembodiment of a power manager according to the present invention.

FIG. 10A illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary power managementdecision process initiated each time a cable is plugged into a deviceport according to the present invention.

FIG. 10B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary power manager decisionprocess initiated if a cable plugged into a device port is connected toa power source according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric external view of an example powermanager enclosure according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top external view of an example power managerenclosure according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary hot-change-over circuit for use with apower manager according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates exemplary voltage vs. percent rated charge capacityfor an exemplary battery usable with a power manager configuredaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a second exemplary hot-change-over circuit for usewith a power manager according to the present invention.

CALLOUTS

100 Power Network 110 Power Source (Solar Panel) 120 Power Source (WindTurbine) 130 Power Source (AC/DC Converter) 140 Stored Energy Source(rechargeable battery) aka rechargeable energy source 150 Stored EnergySource (disposable battery) 160 Power Load 170 Power Load 180 PowerAllocation Interface 185 Power Source (Fuel Cell) 190 Power Manager 195Power Manager 200 Power Network 210 Power Manager 220 Power Cables 230Power Device or Portable Power Load Or Radio 240 Power Device orPortable Power Load Or radio 250 Power Device or Portable Power Load OrGeo-locating receiver 260 Power Device or Portable Power Load or NightVision Goggles 270 Rechargeable Battery or Portable Power Storage Deviceor Power Generating Device Or Power Source 280 Local Power Source (FuelCell) or Power Storage Device Or Power Generating Device Or Power Source300 Power Network 310 Cables 320 Power Storage Device 330 Power Load 340Power Load 345 Power Converter or Rectifier 350 Power Source 355 AC GridConnector 360 Power Storage Device 370 Power Storage Device 380 PowerStorage Device 390 Power Cable 400 Power distribution system 410Conductor (bus, power bus) 420 Data Processing Device 425 USBcommunications interface device 430 Memory Device 440 Power Converter(Voltage Control) (Voltage Converter) 442 Power Converter 444 InternalPower Network Interface 450 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllableswitch) 455 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 460 FieldEffect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 465 Field Effect Transistor(aka controllable switch) 470 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllableswitch) 475 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 480 FieldEffect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 485 Field Effect Transistor(aka controllable switch) 490 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllableswitch) 495 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 500 PowerNetwork 503 Field Effect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 505 FieldEffect Transistor (aka controllable switch) 510 (Scavenger) PowerConverter 515 LED array 520 User Interface Device (Computer) 525 FirstPower channel 530 Second power channel 535 First power channel 540Photovoltaic (solar) cell 600 Port Interface (Port Connection) 605Connecting Cable 620 Power Device 630 Power Channel 640 Power Element650 Network Interface 655 Data communication channel 660 NetworkInterface 665 Data communication channel 670 Cable Memory Device 675Network Interface Device 680 Network Interface Device 685 DataProcessing Device 690 Memory Device 700 Block Diagram 705 Load PowerAllocation Interface 710 Power Discover Message 715 Power Offer Message720 Power Request 725 Confirmation Message 730 Source Power AllocationInterface 800 810 Radio 820 Power Manager Shim 830 Battery 840 Battery850 Additional Ports 905 Output Port 910 Power Shim 915 AC/DC Converter920 Output Power Converter 925 AC Input Port 930 Bus 935 Scavenger Port940 Scavenger Converter 945 Conductive Pad Port 955 Port 960 SmartConverter 965 Port 970 Port 975 Conductive Pad Port 1100 Power ManagerEnclosure 1110 Top Face 1120 Display Device 1130 Front Side Face 1140User Interface Keypad 1150 Input Port 1160 Input Port 1170 Input Port1180 Input Port 1190 Input Port 1200 Input Port 1210 End Face 1220 BackFace 1230 Indicator Lights 1240 Indicator Lights (Status lights) 1250Orienting Feature 1300 Hot-change-over Circuit 1305 First power channel1310 Third power channel 1312 Logic element - AND gate 1314 Logicelement - OR gate 1315 Low Voltage Sensor 1316 Low voltage signal 1317Output signal 1318 Input signal 1320 Second power channel 1322 Inputsignal 1340 Conductive path/conductive element 1350 Ground terminal 1400Set of curves 1500 Hot-change-over Circuit 1510 Power channel

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a power network (100) comprises at least one powermanager (190) suitable for operably connecting with a plurality ofexternal power devices. The power manager (190) is configured toexchange power with each of the plurality of external power devicesconnected therewith, including with another power manager (195). In theexample embodiments described below, the power managers (190, 195) eachinclude a plurality of device ports and each device port is for operablyconnecting with an external power device, which may include anotherpower manager. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, awire cable extends between each external power device and a device portof a power manager. In other embodiments, other connecting schemes areusable including mating conductive pads or wireless inductive energytransfer without physical contact.

The power managers (190, 195) are configured to read information storedon a connected power device or wire cable. If the external power deviceor wire cable is appropriately configured, the power managers (190, 195)are configured to update or write information onto a connected externalpower device or wire cable. If the power device or wire cable isappropriately configured, the power managers (190, 195) are configuredto exchange power management signals with the external power device orwire cable.

If an external power device is not configured for information storage orto exchange information and/or power management signals with the powermanager (190), a “smart cable” is used to connect the external powerdevice with the power manager (190). The smart cable stores informationthat corresponds with power characteristics of the correspondingexternal power device. Preferably, the power manager and connectedexternal power devices exchange information using the SMBus networkcommunication protocol used by many existing power devices. However, anycommunication protocol is usable without deviating from the presentinvention.

If an external power device is not configured for information storage orto exchange information and/or power management signals with the powermanager (190) and a connecting scheme other than a wire cable is used,elements of the connection scheme store information that correspondswith power characteristics of the corresponding external power device.In this case, the connecting scheme also exchanges the information and,if needed, any power management signals with the power manager using theSMBus or other network communication protocol. The connecting schemeseach include a power channel and a communication channel; however thepower and communication channels may share the same wires, terminalsand/or other pathways.

Generally, the power manager (190) operates to draw power from externalpower sources or external energy storage devices operably connected todevice ports thereof. Additionally, the power manager (190) operates todistribute the power to external power loads operably connected todevice ports thereof. The power is drawn and distributed according to anenergy management schema operating one the power manager (190). In thecase where the network (100) comprises a plurality of power managers(190, 195), each power manager (190) operates to draw power fromexternal power sources or external energy storage devices operablyconnected to device ports thereof, to distribute the power to externalpower loads operably connected with device ports thereof and to exchangepower between the operably connected power managers (190, 195).

In example embodiments described below, the power manager (190) isconfigured with a direct current (DC) power bus and exchanges DC powersignals with connected power devices. However, a power manager (190) maybe configured with an alternating current (AC) power bus for exchangingAC power signals with connected power devices without deviating from thepresent invention. A power manager (190) may include one or more powerconverters disposed between device ports and the power bus. The powerconverters may include DC to DC up, (boost) and down, (buck) voltageconverters, voltage stabilizers, or linear voltage regulators, AC to ACup and down voltage converters, voltage regulators, voltage transformersetc. DC to AC up and down voltage converters or inverters, AC to DC upand down voltage converters or rectifiers, AC up and down frequencyconverters or variable AC frequency transformers and any of variousother power converting elements as may be required or suitable toestablish and operate a power network. Power converters are operablyconnected between a port and the power bus to convert power beingdelivered to the power bus by a connected power source or energy storagedevice or to convert power being drawn from the bus to a connected powerload. Operating functions of the power converters are preferablycontrollable by the power manager (190, 195). A data processing device,described below is included in each power manager and is incommunication with each power converter to vary the power convertingcharacteristics of the power converter such as to vary the voltage orthe current or power amplitude of the power signal passing over thepower converter.

In one example embodiment, DC to DC power converters comprising aSplit-Pi power converter circuit may be used. The Split-Pi powerconverter includes both boost (step-up) and buck (step-down) voltageconverting circuits, e.g. using two switching MOSFET bridges. Thesedevices operate bidirectionally to convert the voltage of an incomingpower signal to the power bus voltage or to convert the voltage of anoutgoing power signal from the power bus voltage to the voltage of aconnected power load. Feedback loops may be used on either side of apower converter to monitor its output voltage or current and to varycontrol parameters of the power converter, e.g. a switching duty cycleof a MOSFET bridge, to maintain a desired output voltage or currentamplitude. The feedback loops may be incorporated within the powerconverter or may comprise elements of the power manager (190). In otherembodiments there may be reasons to use one way DC to DC powerconverters wherein the power converter channel is only used as aunidirectional conductor and current flow is prevented in the oppositedirection.

Referring to FIG. 1, power sources, (110, 120, 130, 185) comprisesources of generated power. For example, the power source (130) deliversAC power from an electrical power grid or a portable electrical powergenerator. In this example, the power source (130) optionally includes apower converter to convert the generated AC power to DC power compatiblewith the portable power manager (190). Alternately, the portable powermanager (195) may include a power converter that converts AC input powerto DC power compatible with the portable power manager. Alternately, thepower manager may communicate with the power source (130), obtain sourceconfiguration information and command the power source (130) toreconfigure itself or operate in a mode that converts its AC input powerto DC power compatible with the power manager.

Other power sources such as a solar panel (110) or a wind turbine (120)comprise electrical power generators that convert renewable energyresources to DC electrical power and in the examples of the presentinvention; power generators that deliver a DC power signal arepreferred. A fuel cell (185) or other chemical power generator is alsoconnectable to the power manager (190) as a power source and isconfigured to generate DC electrical power from a chemical reaction orother chemical process. Other example power sources operably connectableto the power manager (190) include hydroelectric or wave powergenerators or a mechanical or electrical power generator such as avehicle alternator. Generally, a power source suitable for use by thenetwork (100) comprises any power generator that generates power that iscompatible with the power manager, with or without power conversion, andthat provides information that characterizes the power signal in a formthat is readable by the power manager (190). The power sources (110,120, 130, and 185) may provide a substantially continuous supply ofgenerated power for as long as the power manager (190) is connected withthe power source, e.g. a power grid, or the power source may have afinite operating time, such for as long as there is a fuel supply. Thepower sources (110, 120, 130, and 185) may be immovable, e.g. a powergrid outlet, portable such as movable by a vehicle, man packable such asa small fuel cell.

Stored energy sources (140, 150) comprise electrical energy storagedevices such as batteries and capacitors. Stored energy sources maycomprise a one-time use device such a disposable battery (150) or arechargeable device such as a rechargeable battery or capacitor (140).Energy storage devices store a finite quantity of electrical charge andthe amount of charge stored on a particular energy storage device istypically characterized by a “charge capacity.” Charge capacity ratings,usually expressed in ampere-hours, quantify the total charge that afully charged energy storage device is able to deliver on discharge.

Energy storage devices may include elements that track, measure andreport a “remaining charge capacity,” such as a percentage of the totalcharge capacity. The remaining charge capacity may be reported to thepower manager electrically or otherwise indicating to user by a visibleor audible signal. For example, the energy storage device may report orindicate that a remaining charge capacity is 20% of the total chargecapacity or that the energy storage device has used up 80% of the totalcharge capacity.

A rechargeable energy storage device (140) operably connected with thepower manager (190) may comprise an energy source while being dischargedor a power load while being recharged. Moreover, the power manager (190)is configured to change its operating mode in order to treat a connectedenergy storage device as an energy source or a power load. Rechargeableenergy source (140) may also store information relating to both itsdischarging and recharging characteristics and the power manager (190)may read or otherwise determine the discharging and rechargingcharacteristics of the rechargeable energy source (140) in order tooptimally discharge and recharge the device.

Energy storage devices may include conventional rechargeable batteriessuch as lithium ion, lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal halide orany other type of rechargeable battery of various operating voltages.These may include conventional commercial and military batteries thatrange in voltage from about 1.5 to 50 volts such as commercially usedAA, AAA, C-cell, D-cell and 9-volt batteries or 15-volt and 30-voltmilitary batteries such as the BB-2590 and, LI-145 lithium ionbatteries, which may be carried by infantry soldiers in missionsituations and used as power sources for the power network configurationshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Moreover, a plurality of batteries may beinstalled in a holder or terminal and connected in parallel or in seriessuch that a plurality of batteries may be connected to a single networkport of a power manager (190) by a single cable. Additionally, 6, 12,24, 40-volt vehicle and other batteries may be connected to a powermanager using appropriately configured cables in order to harvest orscavenge power from available battery sources. In addition,non-rechargeable alkaline or lithium batteries may also comprise a powerstorage device in AA, AAA, C-cell, D-cell and other batteryconfigurations and these batteries may be held in a battery holder andconnected in series or in parallel to deliver energy at selectedvoltages. In any event, each an energy storage device connected with thepower manager (190) by an operable connection includes informationrelating to power characteristics of the energy storage device stored onthe energy storage device or on elements of the operable connection andthe power manager at least reads the information to determine the powercharacteristics. Alternately, the power manager may update theinformation and exchange power management signals with connected energystorage devices. A disposable or non-rechargeable energy source operablyconnected with the power manager (190) is generally used until itsstored charge is depleted and then disconnected from the power managerand discarded.

Power loads (160, 170) comprise operably connected power devices thatdraw power from the power manager (190). Moreover, the power manager(190) itself may comprise a power load that draws power from connectedpower and energy sources to operate; or the power manager (190) mayinclude a separate internal energy source such as a battery. In thepresent example embodiment, the power loads preferably draw DC power andgenerally comprise portable devices that are normally powered by DCpower such as DC batteries or the like. However, AC power loads thatinclude or are operably connected to the power manager over a DC to ACinverter can be powered by the power manager (190).

Power devices may comprise “smart devices” or “dumb devices.” A smartdevice at least includes a non-volatile data storage element that isreadable by the power manager (190). A smart device may further compriseprocessing elements effective to measure or control aspects of the powerdevice. A smart device at least includes power characteristics of thedevice stored on the storage element. Additional information stored on asmart device may include any aspect of the energy management schemaoperating on the power manager (190). A smart device may monitor modifystore and/or report aspects of the energy management schema to the powermanager (190). A dumb device does not include a non-volatile datastorage element or any other data infrastructure that is readable by thepower manager (190). A dumb device may also include a power device thatis capable of data exchanges with other devices but that does notcommunicate using a communication protocol that is supported by thepower manager (190). Most disposable batteries are dumb devices.Generally, dumb devices can be operably connected with the power manager(190) using a “smart cable”. To do so, a smart cable is configured tocorrespond with the dumb device and a data set describing powercharacteristics of the dumb power device are stored on the smart cablein a manner that the data can be read by or otherwise communicated tothe power manager (190). In some embodiments, a smart cable isself-configuring based upon one or more physical aspects of the dumbpower device (such as a connector configuration). In other embodiments,a smart cable is “programmed” with information about the dumb powerdevice. Alternately, a smart cable stores a device identifier which isread by the power manager and the power manager uses a device lookuptable to obtain power characteristics associated with the deviceidentifier. In the case of disposable batteries, one or more disposablebatteries may be installed into a battery holder with the batteryterminals conductively connected to the power manager (190) over a smartcable and with power characteristics of the disposable batteries storedon the smart cable for communication to the power manager. Alternately,the battery holder may store the power characteristics of the disposablebatteries and communicate the power characteristics of the disposablebatteries to the power manager by a wireless signal.

Smart devices operably connected with the power manager (190) may alsoinclude a variety of components that may be responsive to powermanagement signals initiated by the power manager (190). For example,smart devices generally respond to power management signals initiated bya connected power manage by exchanging information or power with thepower manager. However, other response options are possible when thepower manager issues a power management signal to the operably connectedpower devices. For example, the power manager (190) may communicate witha connected power device, determine various operating modes orparameters of the power device and select and/or configure operatingparameters of the power device according to instantaneous powerconditions on the power network (100) or according to preferredoperating modes of the power manager. For example, a power manager (190)may send a power management signal to an operably connected power deviceinstructing the connected power device to use a desired operatingvoltage, a desired communication protocol, desired current amplitude, orother desired power parameters. Other power management signals mayinclude sending a pending disconnect warning to a power device, sendingan estimate of how long the available power on the network might lastbased on current power network conditions and other power related dataas may be available or determinable by the power manager (190) or thepower manager in cooperation with connected smart power devices.

A power device operably connected to a single device port of the powermanager (190) may comprise a plurality of power devices. For example, anenergy storage device may include two or more rechargeable or disposablebatteries that are connected in series, connected in parallel or capableof being individually connected to the power bus of the power managerover the same device port. In a further example, a power device operablyconnected to a single device port of the power manager (190) over asingle cable or other operable connection may comprise two or more powerloads or a combination of power loads and energy storage devices. Insuch cases, the power devices may be reconfigured to operably connectone or more of the plurality of power devices to the power manager powerbus and the power devices many be connected individually or jointly.

The power manager (190) further comprises an energy management schemaoperating thereon. The energy management schema comprises variousprograms, firmware algorithms or the like operating the power managerand may include analog devices and processes. The energy managementschema operates as a power allocation interface (180) to collect powercharacteristics from each connected power device, to track availablepower and to distribute the available power to connected power loadsaccording to various energy management schema objectives, which mayinclude delivering power to power loads according to a power priorityassigned to each power load. An energy management schema can be storedwithin a single power manager, distributed between a plurality of powermanagers, or stored in a distributed fashion between power managers,power cables, and power devices.

Generally the power manager (190) operates to maximize the amount ofusable power in the power network (100) by summing the powercapabilities or power contribution attributable to all of the connectedpower or energy sources, and then by allocating this total availablepower to connected power loads in a prioritized fashion. To do this, thepower manager first reads the power characteristic data for eachconnected power source and obtains average and peak power capacities ofeach power or energy source. The energy schema then calculates a totalavailable average power, and a total available peak power.

The power manager then reads or otherwise ascertains the powercharacteristic data for each connected power load and obtains averageand peak power requirements as well as a device priority of each powerload, including the power loads associated with recharging energystorage devices. The energy management schema then compiles a list ofconnected power loads, in priority order with the highest priority loaddevice at the head of the list. Once this list is complete, the powermanager starts at the head of the list, assigning average and peak powerto each load device on the list, and subtracting that average and peakload from the total available power. The power manager continues downthe list, assigning power to each load device on the list, until thetotal available average or total available peak power reaches zero (or anegative number). At this point, devices of a lower priority that havenot yet been assigned power are disconnected from the power bus. Theenergy manager schema is periodically repeated, e.g. once per second, oreach time a power device is physically connected to or disconnected froma device port. As such, if power requirements change, the power managerwill recognize these changes and will adjust which power loads and poweror energy sources are connected to the power bus and which power loadsand power or energy sources are disconnected from the power busaccording to the amount of average and peak power available.

Power characteristic information stored on smart cables, smart deviceand on the power manager and usable by the energy management schemacomprises some or all of the following elements:

Power device type (disposable or rechargeable energy storage device,generated power source, power load, DC device, AC device, etc);

Power device ID (e.g. a MAC address, port number or the like);

Power device network address;

List of communication protocols and functions supported;

A device power priority;

Power management logging data specifications: (specifications forinformation to collect and how to store it in the power manager);

Power management data and control encoding instructions (logging, logdata to collect (e.g. hours of use, number of connector insertions,etc.) log delivery, formats for reading power devices, power devicecontrol instruction specifications); and

Power characteristics (including operating power type (AC or DC),operating voltage range, average and peak current amplitude or averageand peak power amplitude, operating temperature ranges, present ratedcharge capacity, fuel level, etc.).

For rechargeable energy storage devices, power characteristics mayinclude operating voltage, charging voltage, operating current amplituderange, charging current amplitude, charging cycle type, etc.

For non-reachable energy storage devices, power characteristics mayinclude: charge-rated capacity, thresholds (in volts, amps, % of maximumfor volts or amps, length of time in service), and the like.

For more complex power device, power characteristics may include a listof power devices and associated power characteristics, a list ofoperating modes and instruction regarding how to change operating modes,etc.

A single power manager (190) manages a local power network in accordancewith the energy management schema operating thereon. During themanagement of the local power network, the power manager (190) operatesindependently to monitor the states of locally connected power devicesand connect or disconnected the locally connected power devices to thelocal power bus and distribute power in accordance with the local energymanagement schema. In addition, locally connected devices may becontrolled and reconfigured in response to power management commandsinitiated by the power manager (190).

If the power network (100) comprises a plurality of interconnected powermanagers (190) and (195) the connected power managers may exchangeenergy and power management signals. This permits the connected powermanagers to operate in an integrated fashion while still operating thelocal power network according to the local energy management schema. Inlocal mode, each power manager still operates independently to monitorthe states of locally-connected power devices and to connect ordisconnected the locally-connected power devices to the local power busas required by the local energy management schema. Integrated operationincludes exchanging information and power between connected powermanagers. The energy management schema operating on each power manager(190, 195) may then sum the total average and peak power available onthe local network, e.g. power devices connected to the power manager(190), and operate to distribute power provided by locally connectsources to locally connected loads. Thereafter the power manager (190)may offer excess power to or request additional power from the connectedpower manager (195). The power manager schema is periodically repeated,e.g. once per second, or each time a power device is physicallyconnected to or disconnected from the network (100). As such, if powerrequirements change, the integrated power managers will recognize thesechanges and will adjust which power loads and power sources areconnected to the power bus and which ones are disconnected from thepower bus according to the amount of average and peak power available onthe power network.

The networked power managers are advantageous over existing solutionssuch as the power distribution system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,570,002 by Castleman because Castleman has one power supplydistributing power to many power loads and a failure or disconnect ofthe one power source immediately causes a power interruption to all thepower loads. Conversely, the energy management schema operating on asingle or local power manager network of the present invention or on anintegrated power management network (100) of the present inventionutilizes a plurality of power sources and adjusts power distributionsubstantially in real time to deliver power to high priority deviceseven when one power source fails or is disconnected from the network. Inaddition, the power managers (190) and (195) as well as some of theconnected power devices are man-portable such that the network (100) maycomprise a completely man-portable network as a local network or maycomprise an integrated power network when power managers are connectedtogether such as at a base camp.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example single or isolated power network(200) according to the present invention comprises a single powermanager (210) and a plurality of power devices electrically connectedwith the power manager (210) by a wire cable (220) associated with eachpower device. Preferably, the power cables are detachable from the powermanager (210) and from each power device. This permits ease ofportability, allows connected power devices to be disconnected fromdevice ports of the power manager and replaced by other power devices,allows field replacement of defective or damaged cables, and to allows“smart” power cables to be reprogrammed or reconfigured as required.Preferably, each wire cable (220) includes a first end connectormatching a connector configuration of the corresponding power device anda second end connector matching a connector configuration of the powermanager device ports. Each power cable (220) includes one or more powerchannels and at least one data communication channel and the datacommutation channel may be over a power channel or over a wirelesschannel. If the cable (220) is a smart cable it includes a memory deviceor other information storage device with power characteristics of thecorresponding power device stored on the smart cable in a form that isreadable by the power manager (210) using the SMBus communicationprotocol or another communication protocol supported by the powermanager, e.g. USB. If the power device is a smart device, the cable(220) includes a data channel that extends from the power manager to thepower device and the power characteristics of the corresponding powerdevice are stored on the smart device. However, a smart device can beconnected to the power manager by a smart cable and some or all of thepower characteristics of the corresponding power device may be stored onthe smart device, on the smart cable or on both.

In various embodiments, a power device connected to the power manager(210) by a single cable (220) may comprise a plurality of power devices.The plurality of power devices may be ganged together and functioning asa single power device. In this case, the power manager (210) treats theplurality power devices as a single device and may not even be awarethat the single device comprises a plurality of power devices. Oneexample embodiment of a plurality of power devices being treated as asingle power device is when the plurality identical batteries areconnected to the device port in series or in parallel. Alternately, theplurality of power devices may be individually addressable and capableof functioning independently. In this case, the power manager (210) mayindependently read power characteristics of each of the plurality ofpower devices connected to the power manager over the same device portand treat each power device separately in the energy management schema.One example embodiment of a plurality of power devices beingindividually addressable is when the plurality of power devicescomprises a power load and an integrated rechargeable battery in onepower device. In this case, the power manager may recognize that twodevices are connected or connectable and utilize the rechargeablebattery as a power source, and include the power load and therechargeable battery in the list of power loads to be powered accordingto device priority. Accordingly, the power manager (210) is configuredto manage the port connection and communication with power devicesconnected to the each device port to determine if the connected powerdevices comprise a plurality of independent power devices and if so totreat each device separately in the energy management schema. In caseswhere a power device connected to a single device port comprises aplurality of individually addressable power devices, the connectingcable (220) may include separate power and data channels for each of theplurality of individually addressable power devices, or a single powerand data channel may be shared by the plurality of individuallyaddressable power devices. Moreover, each of the plurality ofindividually addressable power devices may have a different deviceaddress reachable by the power manager or the power device may have asingle device address and operate to manage communication and powerdistribution within the power device to address each individuallyaddressable power device incorporated therein.

In various embodiments, a power device connected to the power manager(210) by a single cable (220) may comprise a reconfigurable powerdevice. One example embodiment of a reconfigurable power devicecomprises a rechargeable battery (270) that comprises two batteriesconnected together in parallel wherein either the connecting cable (220)or the rechargeable battery (270) can be reconfigured, either manuallyor automatically, to connect the two batteries together in series, e.g.to change an operating voltage of the rechargeable battery. In thiscase, the power information stored on the power device or the smartcable associated with the power device alerts the power manager that thedevice can be reconfigured and the power manager may reconfigure thepower device by issuing a power management signal to automaticallyreconfigure the cable (220) or the rechargeable battery (270) or thepower manager may notify a user to reconfigure the rechargeable batterymanually. If a power device connected to a single device port comprisesa reconfigurable power device, the connecting cable (220) or thereconfigurable power device may include information stored thereon aboutthe power characteristics of the reconfigurable power device in eachpossible device configuration as well as instructions about how toreconfigure the device.

In operation, when a power device is connected to the power manager(210) the power manager reads power and data characteristics of thepower device from the power device or the cable (220) associated withthe power device, or both. The power and data characteristics can beused to select an appropriate communication protocol, to determine thedevice type, e.g. load, source, rechargeable battery, or combination,and various power characteristics of the connected power device orcable. The power characteristics may include an operating voltage range,average and peak power or current values, rated charge capacity of anenergy storage device, charge remaining on an energy storage device, apower priority of the power device and/or other power characteristicdata as may be available. Alternately, the power characteristic maycomprise a device code or identifying class of the power device and thepower manager may look up the power characteristics associated with thedevice code or identifying class in a lookup table stored on the powermanager. Based on information read from the device, cable, or look uptable, the power manager (210) may determine that the particular powerdevice is not compatible with the power manager (210) in its currentconfiguration and generate an error indication and/or suggest asolution. Otherwise, the connected power device is integrated into thepower network for power exchanges with the power manager as governed bythe energy management schema.

The power manager (210) operates in various modes to allocate anddistribute energy provided by power sources over the power network (200)according to power priority settings and/or other aspects of the energymanagement schema. In addition, the power manager (210) may change itsconfiguration using switching elements to open or close device portconnections as required, to map power converters inline with a deviceport, to redistribute power according to power device priorities and/orto prevent the power manager or a connected device from being damaged.In addition, the power manager (210) may change the configuration ofand/or power characteristics of a connected power device by issuing acommand to the connected power device.

Man-Portable Power Network

In a specific example embodiment, the power network (200) comprises aplurality power devices that are expressly designed to be man-portable.For example, man-portable devices include devices carried by abackpacker or an infantry soldier. It is key to some embodiments of thepower network (200) described herein that the power manager (210), powercables (220), and at least some of the power devices connected theretobe man-worn or man-portable. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the exemplarypower network (200) comprises a portable power manager (210) configuredwith six device ports with up to six connected cables (220) used toexchange energy and power management signals with up to six powerdevices such as portable power loads (230, 240, 250, 260), a portableenergy storage device (270), such as a disposable, (one time use), orrechargeable battery, and a portable power source (280), such as aman-worn or man-packable fuel cell. In the specific example embodimentof the power network (200), the power loads may include man-worn orman-packable radios (230, 240), a global geo-location positioningreceiver (250) and night vision goggles (260). In addition otherelectric power loads such as man-worn cooling equipment, a portablecomputer, a portable camera, additional telecommunication systems andother portable electronic devices may be connected to ports of the powermanager (210) by disconnecting one or more of the power loads (230, 240,250, 260) and connecting an alternate power load into the availabledevice port as may be required.

The power manager (210) is specifically configured for man-portableapplications and is especially configured to have a weight of less than500 grams and to have a sealed, e.g. water tight, enclosure that issmall enough to be inserted into a pocket formed on a back pack orarticle of clothing while still providing access to all of the deviceports to connect and disconnect cables. In addition the power manager(210) includes a user interface module, indicator lights associated witheach device port, and may include a visual display device, all of whichare configured for ergonomic use and reliable performance.

The power manager (210) is specifically configured for man-portableapplications and especially configured to avoid power interruptions tomission-critical power devices connected to the power manager. As such,the power manager (210) is preferably operated with two power or energysources (270), (280) connected to two different device ports at alltimes and with at least one power or energy source having an operatingvoltage that matches a bus voltage of the power manager. In the exampleembodiment (200), the two sources are the rechargeable battery (270) andthe man-portable fuel cell (280). In this case, the rechargeable battery(270) and the power manager power bus each operate at 15 volts DC suchthat the rechargeable battery (270) can be directly connected to thepower manager power bus without a power conversion. Alternately, tworechargeable batteries (270) or two man-portable fuel cells are usable,provided that at least one of the fuel cells operates at the samevoltage as the power bus and meets other requirements for directconnection to the power bus without power conversion. As will be furtherdescribed below, in one mode of operation, the power manager (210) onlyconnects one of the two sources to the power bus at a time holding thesecond source in reserve and automatically connecting the second sourceto the power bus as soon as it becomes apparent that the power demandsof high priority or mission critical power loads can no longer be met bythe single source.

More generally, the power network (200) comprises a single power manager(210), operably connected with one or more power loads (230, 240, 250,260) and one or more power sources (270, 280) by connecting power cables(220) connected with individual device ports of the power manager (210).The power manager (210) and each of the power devices, or connectingpower cables (220), are configured to exchange energy and powercharacteristics of the connected devices and possibly power managementsignals as described above. Each power device may also be assigned adevice-specific power priority setting and the device priority settingis used to carry out the energy management schema operating on the powermanager (210). The power manager (210) is configured to receive powerfrom power and energy sources (270, 280) and to allocate available powerto the power loads with high priority power loads being fully powered asrequired and low priority power loads being switched off if theavailable power on the power network is less than the instantaneouspower demand.

In some exemplary uses, a power network that includes mission criticaldevices such as a radio or a geo-location position receiver isconfigured by assigning a relatively higher power priority to themission critical devices and assigning a relatively lower power priorityto less critical power devices such as man-worn cooling equipment.Generally, default power device priority settings are included in thepower characteristic information stored on smart power devices and smartcables. The power priorities may vary from mission to mission accordingto the mission duration, the mission objectives and the power devices tobe carried on the mission. Accordingly, power device priorities areroutinely updated on the power devices and cables by connecting thepower device and/or cable to a computer or to a power manager connectedwith computer. Alternately, a plurality of default power device prioritysettings are downloaded onto to the power manager (210) as part of theenergy management schema and may be used when no other default value isavailable or when the power manager default value is set to overridepower device default settings. Default device power priority settings(or any other energy management schema settings) stored on the powermanager can be changed by downloading new settings to the power manager(210) from a computer or the like connected to a device port.

The power and energy sources (270, 280) for a man-portable mission mayinclude rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries and a generatedpower source such as a man-portable fuel cell. If the energy source is arechargeable energy storage device (270), the power manager (210) may beconfigured to determine a charge-rated capacity and the amount of chargeremaining on the energy storage device by reading power informationassociated with the device (270) or by exchanging power information withthe device (270) or its associated power cable. Typically, the amount ofcharge remaining on the energy storage device is reported over a rangeof approximately 5% to 100% with 100% being a fully charged battery and5% being a 95% discharged battery. The remaining charge value of eachrechargeable battery may reported to a user e.g. by lighting indicatorlights provided on the power manager proximate to the correspondingdevice port or by displaying a value on a visual display device. Whenoperating with a rechargeable battery-type power device, the powermanager (210) may operate in a mode that either draws power from therechargeable battery (270) to operate other power devices connected tothe power network (200), or delivers power or charge to the rechargeablebattery-type power device (270) to recharge the battery to a highercharge level. However, the operating modes are managed by the energymanagement schema, which may choose to charge a rechargeable batteryunder certain circumstances but generally will not recharge a battery ona man-portable mission.

The power network (200) includes power loads (230, 240, 250, 260) forwhich the load characteristics vary over time because not all of thepower loads are used at the same time and because individual power loadsmay have peak and non-peak power requirements as well as standby modesthat reduce power consumption when a power device is not in use. Thepower sources (270) and (280) may also vary their power characteristicsover time e.g. depending on temperature and remaining charge value.Moreover, the power sources may have a peak current amplitude that cannot be exceeded and that occasionally may not meet the current demandsof connected power loads. Accordingly, even using the energy managementschema, the actual available power may vary from predicted availablepower determined by the energy management schema and some power demandsmay go unmet. However, the energy management schema addresses highpriority power demand first.

Networked Power Manager Examples

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, a second example embodiment of a powernetwork of the present invention comprises power networks (300) and(500), which each include a plurality of man-portable power managers(210) connected together by cables (310) for exchanging power and powermanagement signals bi-directionally between connected power managers(210). Referring to FIG. 3, each of the plurality of power managers(210) may include one or more power loads (330, 340), one or more powergenerating sources (350) and one or more energy storage devices (320,360, 370, 380) each connected to different device ports of the powermanager (210) by corresponding cables (390). For example, the networks(300) and (500) comprise ad hoc power networks established at a basecamp or at any location where the power devices are not beingtransported. The ad hoc networks (300) and (500) may be configured whena suitable power source is available and when rechargeable energystorage devices need recharging. In one example, the ad hoc networks(300) and (500) may be established between trips or in a stationaryconfiguration and the ad hoc networks (300) and (500) may be used topower other devices in a base camp, or the like, such as lighting,heating, or cooking elements and non-man-portable electronic devices.More importantly, the ad hoc networks (300) and (500) are established torecharge batteries. To establish an ad hoc power network, a squad ofinfantry soldiers, e.g. up to 10, may combine each soldiers' powermanager (210) and various power devices carried by the soldiers in amanner suitable for meeting the immediate power needs of the squad.Moreover, power devices and power managers may be added as needed toconnect additional power devices and take advantage of power sources asthey become available.

In the ad hoc power networks (300) and (500), non-man-portable power andenergy sources may be used when available. These may include a vehiclebattery or alternator, a gasoline powered generator, a non-man-portablefuel cell, a wind turbine, a solar panel, or an AC power grid. The ACpower grid may be accessed over a cable (390) using an AC grid connector(355) and a power converter or rectifier (345) to convert the AC gridpower to input power usable by a power manager (210), e.g. 15 volts DC.Otherwise, whatever man-portable power and energy sources that areavailable, e.g. rechargeable batteries (360, 370, 380) and/ornon-rechargeable batteries (320), man-portable fuel cells andman-portable solar blankets (350) can be used as power sources suitablefor establishing an ad hoc power network (300) or (500) and potentiallyrecharging batteries.

As described above, each power device connected to the networks (300)and (500) includes power characteristic information relating to theparticular power device stored on the power device or on a correspondingcable (390) in a form that is readable by a connected power manager(210). Additionally, each connected power device may comprise aplurality of power devices connected over a single device port, areconfigurable power device, or a smart power device capable of two waydata and command exchange with a connected power manager (210). Eachpower manager (210) is configured to identify another power manager(210) connected to it and to exchange power and power management signalswith a connected power manager. Each power manager (210) is configuredto identify locally connected power devices, read power characteristicinformation from each locally connected power device and distributepower to locally connected power devices according to the energymanagement schema operating on each of the connected power managers(210). In an embodiment of the power manager (210) each power managercan connect to one or two other power managers, however up to ten powermanagers can be connected together in series in a single power network(300). Of course, other ad hoc configurations are possible includinginterconnecting an unlimited number of power managers without deviatingfrom the present invention.

In cases where a power manager (210) is connected to another powermanager, each power manager forms a local power network that onlyincludes the power devices connected to that power manager. Each powermanager (210) identifies the locally connected power devices andoperates according to the energy management schema operating on thatpower manager. Accordingly, each power manager operates to maximize theamount of usable power in the local network by summing the powercapabilities or power contribution attributable to all of the locallyconnected power sources, and then by allocating this total locallyavailable power to locally connected power loads in a prioritizedfashion. To do this, each power manager (210) first reads the powercharacteristic data for each locally connected power source and obtainsaverage and peak power capacities of each locally connected powersource, including locally connected energy storage devices such asrechargeable batteries. The energy schema operating on the power managerthen calculates a total of the locally available average power, and atotal of the locally available peak power.

Each power manager then reads or otherwise ascertains the powercharacteristic data for each locally connected power load and obtainslocal average and peak power requirements as well as a device priorityfor each locally connected power load, including locally connectedenergy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries. The energymanagement schema then compiles a list of locally connected power loads,in priority order with the highest priority load device at the head ofthe list. Once this list is complete, each power manager starts at thehead of the list, assigning locally average and peak power to eachlocally connected load device on the list, and subtracting that averageand peak load from the total locally available power. The power managercontinues down the list, assigning power to each locally connected loaddevice on the list, until the total locally available average or totallocally available peak power reaches zero (or a negative number). Atthis point, if the local power demands are unmet, each power manager(210) may communicate with a connected power manager to request powerfrom the connected power manager. Alternately, if the local powerdemands are exceeded, each power manager (210) may communicate with aconnected power manager to offer power to the connected power manager.If sufficient power is still not available, each power manager maydisconnect locally connected lower priority power devices from thecorresponding local power bus.

Energy management schema events are periodically repeated at a defaultrefresh rate, e.g. once per second to continuously monitor aconfiguration of each local power network and distribute poweraccordingly. In addition, the energy management schema events areinitiated each time a power device is physically connected to ordisconnected from a device port. The default refresh rate is a variableparameter of the energy management schema and can be automaticallyincreased or decreased according to instantaneous or historic networkconditions.

In some embodiments, the energy management schema refresh rate can beselected using the power manager user interface. In other embodiments,an energy management schema refresh rate is preset and not changeablethrough the user interface. In still further embodiments, the energymanagement schema refresh rate may be varied by the energy managementschema, e.g. in response to parameters of the local network. As such, iflocal power requirements change, the next refresh of the energymanagement schema events detects the local changes, reacquires the totallocally available average and peak power, rebuilds the list of locallyconnected power loads sorted by power priority and take actions toredistribute local power accordingly, and if needed, to offer power toor request power from a connected power manager.

The actions taken by a power manager to redistribute power according tothe energy management schema may include connecting a power device to ordisconnecting a power device from the local power bus, reconfiguring apower converter to adjust a voltage, current or power amplitude,reconfiguring a connected power device and/or exchanging power withanother power manager (210).

Source Priority

According to a further aspect of the present invention, each powersource or energy storage device may be characterized with a sourcepriority rating that relates to the economics and/or efficiency ofoperating the power source or that relates to other characterizingfeatures of the power or energy source. The source priority rating maycomprise an element of the power characteristic information stored onthe source itself or on a smart cable connecting the source to the powermanager. Alternately, default source priority ratings may be included inthe energy management schema and the source priority rating of theenergy management schema may supersede the source priority ratingreported by each source. In some embodiments, the source priorityratings are a variable parameter of the energy management schema and maybe changed through the user interface or preset, e.g. prior to a missionand not able to be changed through the user interface.

According to one example, renewable energy sources such as solar or windpower sources may be given the highest source priority rating becausethe power is relatively inexpensive and may be readily available. Inthis case, the energy management schema operating a power managerconnected with a renewable energy source will attempt to meet all thepower demands of the local power network using the renewable energysource because the renewable energy source has the highest sourcepriority rating. Grid power may be assigned a second highest sourcepriority rating and the energy management schema operating a powermanager connected with grid power but not connected with a renewableenergy source will attempt to meet all of the power demands of the localpower network using the grid power because the grid power has thehighest source priority rating of any available power source.

In further examples, other power generating sources such as fuel cells,gasoline power generators, vehicle alternators or the like may be givena third highest source priority rating followed by rechargeable energystorage devices with a fourth highest source priority rating and thenon-rechargeable energy storage devices with a fifth highest sourcepriority rating. Accordingly, the energy management schema takes eachsource priority rating into account when determining the total locallyavailable average and peak power available and may compile a list ofpower sources in priority order and allocate power starting at the headof the list and working down until the local power requirements are met.Moreover, in some embodiments, the energy management schema may onlyoffer power to other power managers if power is locally available frompower sources with high source priority ratings such as a renewableenergy source or grid power. Of course, other source priority rankingsand selection criteria are usable without deviating form the presentinvention. Power Variation

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the power characteristics of thepower networks (200, 300, 500) vary over time. Power devices may beconnected or disconnected from the networks (100, 200, and 300) with aresulting change in power characteristics of the entire network.Accordingly, each connect or disconnect event initiates a sequence ofenergy management schema events by the corresponding local power manager(210) to reevaluate conditions and redistribute power. For a newlyconnected power device, the energy management schema determines if thedevice is compatible with the power network and the device port that itis connected to and, if not, issues a warning signal to alert a userthat the newly connected power device is not compatible with theselected device port. If the newly connected device is compatible, theenergy management schema then determines the newly connected devicetype, e.g. power manager, power source, power load, or rechargeableenergy storage device.

Thereafter the energy management schema reads the newly connected deviceoperating voltage range, power priority, peak and average powercharacteristics from connected power device, and if appropriate, thecharge-rated capacity, remaining charge and other parameters that may beavailable, and if appropriate, the newly connected power device may beconnected to the power bus. For disconnect events, the sequence ofenergy management schema events disconnects the empty device port fromthe power bus and reevaluates network conditions.

Other factors that cause the power characteristics of the power networks(200, 300, 500) to vary over time include changes to connected powerdevices. Such changes include a power device or cable failure, afully-discharged energy storage device, higher than expected peak powerdemands by one or more connected power devices, and lower than expectedpower demands by one or more connected power devices. Since thesevariations affect the instantaneous power characteristics of the entirepower network, a sequence of energy management schema events isautomatically initiated and repeated at a refresh rate in order toperiodically reevaluate network conditions and redistribute poweraccording the current parameters of the energy management schema.

In general, the instantaneous power P(t) being drawn or delivered by apower device is approximately equal to the product of instantaneousvoltage v(t) and instantaneous current i(t). Power devices usable withthe power networks described herein are likely to operate at differentaverage voltages ranging from about 1.0-50.0VDC or 55-220VAC. Averageand peak currents for each power device or deliverable to each deviceport are likely to range from about a few milliamps to about 10 Ampswith an AC frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. In one example embodiment, thepower manager (210) includes six device ports with a power bus operatingat 14.4 volts DC. In this example, the device port and power buscircuitry are designed to operate at 14.4 volts DC with current carryingcapacity in the range of 1 milliamp to 10 Amps and the power bus isdesigned for an average power of 150 watts. However, the power bus canhandle peak power surges up to about 1.0 kilowatt. In another exampleembodiment, the power bus operates at 30.0 volts DC.

Preferred Power Manager Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 4, a preferred example embodiment of a powermanager (400) according to the present invention is shown schematically.The power manager comprises a power distribution and control system,shown schematically in FIG. 4. The actual hardware making up the powerdistribution and control system is housed inside a substantially sealedelectrical enclosure, shown in FIG. 12. The power distribution systemincludes six device ports (1-6). Each device port comprises anelectrical connector, show in FIG. 12. The connectors are supported byand pass through the electrical enclosure for accessibility from outsidethe electrical enclosure. Preferably, all the connectors are multi-pinconnectors of the same type however; the number of pins and thefunctionality of each multi-pin connector may vary from port to port.Any number of ports greater than one is usable without deviating fromthe present invention. Additionally, different connector configurationsmay be provided in alternate embodiments. In other alternateembodiments, device ports may have a variety of different configurationssuch as conductive contact pads, wireless inductive energy transferterminals printed circuit runs, wireless communication interfaces andother connecting elements, without deviating from the present invention.Each device port connects to a common conductor such as a power bus(410) or another conductor topology such as star, chain or mesh thatconnects each of the six device ports with a power bus.

The power manager (400) preferably includes a data processing device(420) and associated memory device (430). The data processing device(420) and memory (430) are preferably housed inside the sealedelectrical enclosure and in some embodiments the memory may beincorporated within the data processing device or removable from theelectronic enclosure by a user. Example data processing devices includea central processing unit, (CPU), an integrated microprocessor, amicrocontroller, or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Othercontrol systems may be used without deviating from the invention.

The data processing device (420) is electrically connected with elementsof the power distribution system and connects with each of the deviceports (1-6) through a network interface device (444) or anothercommunications interface. Each device port includes a communicationchannel that interconnects the network interface device (444) with smartcables or smart power devices that are operably connected to a deviceport. Accordingly, the data processing device (420) reads powercharacteristic information stored on operably connected power devices orsmart cables associated with power devices over the network interfacedevice (444) and if an operably connected power device or smart cable isappropriately configured, the data processing device (420) and networkinterface device (444) cooperate to exchange the power characteristicinformation and/or power management signals with the operably connecteddevice.

As an example, the data processing device (420) may read and updateinformation stored on the operably connected power device or smartcable. As a further example, the data processing device (420) may sendpower management signals to the operably connected power device or smartcable such as to request a status, to update or overwrite powercharacteristic information or to change a configuration or operatingmode of the operably connected power device or smart cable. In a furtherexample, if the operably connected power device or smart cable includestwo or more power devices connected to the same device port over onecable or operable connection, the data processing device (420) maycommand the power device to operably connect or disconnect one of thetwo or more power devices. In further examples, the operably connectedpower device or smart cable may send power management signals or otherinformation to the data processing device (420). These exchanges mayinclude a request for status of the power manager, e.g. how much totalpower is available, a request to change a configuration or operatingmode of the power manager, e.g. to change a power characteristic, e.g.output current, or to operably disconnect the power device from the bus.In addition, the power manager and operably connected power devices andcables may exchange power availability or remaining operating timeestimates based on current network conditions.

Preferably, the data processing device (420) communicates with operablyconnected power devices and smart cables using network packeted data. Ina preferred embodiment, the network interface device (444) is a SMBusnetwork interface and power characteristic information is stored onoperably connected devices in a form that is readable using the SMBuscommunication protocol. However, the network interface device (444) maysupport other communication protocols on a common bus controller or thepower manager (400) may include additional network interface devices tocommunicate with operably connected devices using other communicationprotocols such as the Inter-Integrated Network (IIC) communicationprotocol or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication protocol. Insome embodiments, the network manager (400) may include wireless networkinterface devices and transceivers for wireless communication withcomparably equipped operably connected power devices or smart cablesusing a wireless network communication protocol such as Wi-Fi, WiMax,Bluetooth or others.

In the example embodiment of the power manager (400), a USBcommunication interface device (425) is disposed between the dataprocessing device (420) and the device port (2) and the device port (2)includes a first SMBus configured data channel and a second datacommunication channel suitably configured to communicate with USBconfigured devices operably connected with device port (2). Alternately,every device port can be connected with the USB network interface device(425) and with the network interface device (444) and other networkinterface devices so that every device port can operably connect withpower devices over a plurality of network communication protocols.

In an example embodiment of the power manager (400), the port (2) isused to operably connect with a computer, (not shown) or computer-likedevice, e.g. a cell phone, personal digital assistant or the like, andthe computer is used to communicate with the data processing device(420). The computer may be used to upload or download energy managementschema data to or from the data processing device (420). In variousapplications, an external computer connected to the power manager viaport (2) or any other USB-configured device port may be used to collecthistoric power network data, to install or update operating programs, torun diagnostic programs, to evaluate performance, to change elements ofthe energy management schema such as power priorities for each mission,to modify or select operating modes, to change security settings andadjust other parameters as may be required.

In a preferred example, the data processing device (420) establishes anetwork connection with each power device that is operably connected topower manager (400) and assigns a device address, network address,device port ID or any other unique identifier to each operably connectedpower device or smart cable or to both. If one of the operably connectedpower devices is a second power manager, e.g. as shown in the powernetwork (300) in FIG. 3, the two power managers may exchange powercharacteristic information relating to connected power devices, powermanagement signals and other information. The information exchangedbetween connected power managers may include the network address, typeand power characteristics of the operably connected local power devicesand/or smart cables. Additional information may further include broadernetwork data such as the type and power characteristics of every powerdevice that is operably connected to the network (300) or that isreachable by each power manager over a network communication channel.The power management signals may be associated with exchanging powerbetween connected power managers.

The memory device (430) is used to store and periodically refresh stateinformation, energy management schema information, network configurationdata, operating programs such as firmware and/or software, and otherdigital data that is used by the data processing device (420) to operatethe power distribution system (400) according to predefined operatingmodes. In some embodiments, historical network configurations and powerusage may be stored on the memory device (430) for uploaded to acomputer between missions or for communication to an operably connectedpower manager. The power manager and/or power distribution system (400)may also include additional analog devices or digital processingelements programmed or otherwise configured to carryout predefinedoperating sequences, measurements, algorithms or the like, using digitaland/or analog components in communication with the data processingdevice (420). For example, the power converters (440, 442, and 510), thecommunications interface device (444), the Field Effect Transistors(FET), user interface devices (520) such as a key pad or individualbuttons for input and LED arrays (515) for user interpretable output orother elements may operate according to predefined operating sequencesindependent of the data processing device with the data processingdevice merely initiating or interrupting the predefined operatingsequences.

Connecting Devices to the Power Bus

Referring now to FIG. 4, each port (1-6) may be operably disconnectedfrom the power bus (410) or operably connected to the power bus (410)over either of two power channels. Using device port (5) as an example,a first power channel (525) includes a first conductor that extends fromthe port (5) to the power bus (410) and a first controllable switch(465) disposed along the first conductor to controllably complete orinterrupt the first power channel (525). The first controllable switch(465) is closed to connect the device port (5) to the power bus (410)over the first power channel (525) or the first controllable switch(465) is opened to interrupt the first power channel (525) anddisconnect the device port (5) from the power bus.

A second power channel (530) includes a second conductor that extendsfrom port (5) to the power bus (410) and a second controllable switch(495) and a power converter or changer (442) are each disposed along thesecond conductor between the device port (5) and the power bus (410).The second controllable switch (495) is closed to connect the deviceport (5) to the power bus (410), over the second power channel (530), orthe second controllable switch (495) is opened to interrupt the secondpower channel (530) and disconnect the device port (5) from the powerbus over the second power channel (530).

The power converter (442) can be operated as a bidirectional boostconverter to increase the voltage of a DC power signal or as abidirectional buck converter to decrease the voltage of a DC powersignal. The power converter (442) can also be operated to attenuate DCcurrent amplitude passing through the power converter. The powerconverter may also operate as a controllable switching element toconnect or disconnect the second power channel (530) device port (5) toand from the power bus (410) by attenuating DC current amplitudeessentially to zero.

Each controllable switch (465) and (495) is in communication with thedata processing unit (420) and is opened or closed in response to powermanagement signals received from the data processing device (420). Thepower converter (442) is in communication with the data processing unit(420) and is configured to change or convert a DC voltage or toattenuate DC current amplitude passing through the power converter inresponse to power management signals received from the data processingdevice (420). In addition, the power converter (442) may protect thepower bus (410) and/or a power device or cable connected to the deviceport (5) from being damaged by power or current surges that exceedoperating limits of the power manager or a connected power device.

Preferably the first power channel (525) and the second power channel(530) are bidirectional power channels with each power channel beingcapable of receiving power from a power or energy source connected todevice port (5) or delivering power or energy to a power load connectedto device port (5). Preferably, each of the controllable switches (465)and (495) and the power converter (442) are bidirectional substantiallywithout degradation in performance. Optionally, a power, voltage orcurrent feedback loop may be incorporated into either of the first andsecond power channels to monitor bidirectional power signals andactively adjust the power signals to maintain a desired output.Optionally other elements may be fixedly included in or switchablyconnected in series or in parallel with each of the first and secondpower channels. Such elements may include a resettable fuse to preventdamage from power surges, a diode to prevent current flow in onedirection, an inverter to convert DC to AC, a rectifier to convert AC toDC a voltage regulator and other power stabilizing or altering elementsas may be required by the application.

The device port (6) has a first power channel (535) comprising aconductor that extends from port (6) to the power bus (410) and includesa first controllable switch (460). The device port (6) has a secondpower channel, which is substantially the same second power channel(530) that is used by the device port (5) and includes a conductor thatextends from port (6) to the power bus (410) with the secondcontrollable switch (495) and the power converter or changer (442)disposed along the second conductor between the device port (6) and thepower bus (410). In the example embodiment, each of the device ports (5)and (6) can be connected to the power bus simultaneously but only one ofthe device ports (5) and (6) can be connected to the power bus (410)over the second power channel (535) at one time. Accordingly, only oneof the power devices connected to the port (5) and (6) can be powerconverted by the power converter (442) at once.

To connect the port (5) to the power bus (410) over the first powerchannel (525), the second controllable switch (495) is opened to preventcurrent from passing over the second power channel (530) and the firstcontrollable switch (465) is closed to allow current flow over the firstconductive path (525). In an initial state with no power devicesconnected to the ports (5) or (6) all of the controllable switches(465), (495), (490) and (460) are open to prevent a power deviceinitially being plugged into one of the device ports (5) or (6) frombeing connected to the power bus (410). However, a power device that isinitially plugged into one of the device ports (5) or (6) is operablyconnected to a data communication channel and the data processing unit(420) reads power information from the newly connected power device todetermine its operating voltage and other power parameters. If theoperating voltage and other power parameters are compatible with directconnection to the power bus, the power device connected to deice port(5) is connected to the power bus (410) over the first power channel(525). If the operating voltage and other power parameters are notcompatible with direct connection to the power bus, the power deviceconnected to device port (5) may be denied connection to the power busor may be connected to the power bus (410) over the second power channel(530) when the power converter (442) is configured to make anappropriate power conversion.

To determine if the power device connected to deice port (5) can beconnected to the power bus (410) over the second power channel (530),the data processor (420) first determines if the second power channel(530) is available, i.e. not being used by the device port (6). If thesecond power channel (530) is available, the data processor (420)determines if the power converter or changer (442) can be operated in amode that will suitably convert power between the power bus and theconnected power device. More specifically the data processor (420)determines if a suitable voltage conversion is possible and thendetermines if other power parameters are compatible for connecting thepower device connected to the device port (5) to the power bus (410)over the second power channel (535) and if so sets the power converteraccordingly and then closes the controllable switch (495) to connect thedevice connected to device port (5) to the power bus over the secondpower channel (535).

Each of the device ports (1-6) can be directly connected to the bus(410) over a first power channel, without power conversion, or over asecond power channel with power conversion. However, the exampleembodiment (400) only includes three power converters (442), (440) and(510) so only three power devices can be connected to the power bus overa power converter at a time. In other embodiments, a power converter canassociated with each device port but this is not practical for aportable device since it adds weight and increases volume.

In the embodiment (400), each device port has a first controllableswitch (450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475) disposed in the first powerchannel between the device port and the power bus (410). Each deviceport also has a second controllable switch (480, 485, 490, 495, 503,505) disposed in the second power channel between the device port andthe power bus (410). The preferred controllable switch comprises a FieldEffect Transistor (FET) or other semiconductor switch, which ispreferred because of its light weight, compact size, low volume, fastswitching speed, reliability, low power consumption, low cost and easeof assembly. However, a relay switch, micro-switch or any othercontrollable switching element that can open and close to preventcurrent flow over the corresponding power channel is usable withoutdeviating from the present invention.

The power bus (410) can be operated at 14.9 volts DC because the powermanager (400) is designed for use with large number of power deviceshaving an operating voltage of 14.9 volts DC. This specifically includesthe BB-2590 and LI-145 rechargeable military batteries, which are thepreferred energy sources carried by infantry soldiers. Moreover, mostman-portable power devices carried by infantry soldiers have anoperating voltage range that includes 14.9 volts DC. Accordingly each ofthe rechargeable batteries BB-2590 and LI-145 and many of the otherman-portable devices used by infantry soldiers can be directly connectedto the power bus (410) over the first power channel associated with eachdevice port without power conversion. In a preferred man-portableoperating mode two 14.9 volt rechargeable military batteries areconnected to two different device ports, preferably ports (1, 2, 5 or6), and at least one of the 14.9 volt rechargeable military batteries isoperably connected to power bus (410). Otherwise, power loads that havean operating voltage range that includes 14.9 volts DC are connecteddirectly to the power bus (410) over the first power channel associatedwith the four remaining device ports without power conversion. In thismode, two energy sources are always connected to a device port and atleast one of the power sources is always operably connected to the powerbus (410). Alternately, one of the 14.9 volt rechargeable militarybatteries can be replaced by a man-portable fuel cell having anoperating voltage that is compatible with direct connection to the powerbus (410).

Generally, any connected power device that can operate using the busvoltage of the power manager is preferably directly connected to thepower bus (410) over the first power channel (525) by closing acorresponding FET (450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475). In addition, thecorresponding FET (450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475) may provide surgeprotection to protect the power manager or a connected power device bylimiting current flow over the FET. If a connected power device needs avoltage conversation or would operate more desirably with current orpower amplitude control, the power device is connected to the power busover one of the second power channels by setting the corresponding powerconverter to an appropriate operating mode and by closing acorresponding FET (480, 485, 490, 495, 503, 505).

More generally, a network controller according to the present inventioncan be configured to operate at other DC or AC bus voltages. Ideally,the bus voltage is selected to match the most commonly used powerdevices or may be selected to match the voltage of the most readilyavailable power or energy sources. In either case, the designer shouldattempt to minimize voltage conversions, which cause power loss and heatgeneration. Accordingly, if the power manager (400) will be used withmore 24 VDC devices than 15 VDC devices a bus voltage of 24 VDC may bemore favorable. Similarly, if the network controller is primarilypowered by and used to deliver power to 110 VAC power devices, a busvoltage of 110 VAC may be more favorable. In a second embodiment of thepower manager (400) a bus voltage of 30 VDC is used.

The preferred power manager (400) includes a pair of bidirectional 10-24volt DC power converters or power changers (440, 442) disposed with onepower converter between device ports (1) and (2) and the other powerconverter between device ports (5) and (6). Alternative embodiments mayhave fewer, more and different power converters in place of, or additionto the listed power converters. Each power converter (440, 442) is incommunication with the data processing device (420) and controlledthereby to select a conversion voltage between 10 and 24 VDC and if thepower converter is so equipped to select a current or power amplitude.The selection corresponds with information read form the connected powerdevice by the data processing device (420). Accordingly, the ports (1,2) can be controlled using the FETs (450, 455, 480, 485) to connectpower devices with an average operating voltage in the range of 10-24VDC to the 14.9-volt bus (410). Similarly, the ports (5, 6) can becontrolled using the FETs (460, 465, 490, and 495) to connect powerdevices with an average operating voltage in the range of 10-24 VDC tothe 14.9-volt bus (410).

The voltage converters (440, 442) are configured to convert 14.9-volt DCoutgoing power to other voltages in the range of 10-24 volts DC or toconvert 10-24 volt DC incoming power to the 14.9-volt DC bus voltage. Todetermine which voltage to use, the data processing device (420)determines the preferred average voltage of power devices connected toports (1, 2, 5 and 6) when the device is first connected and configuresthe ports accordingly using the FETs (450, 455, 460, 465, 480, 485, 490,and 495) and the voltage converters (440, 442).

Preferably, ports (1, 2, 5 and 6) are used to connect power loads orpower or energy sources that operate at 14.9-volts DC directly to thebus (410). However, at least two devices connected to ports (1, 2, 5 and6) can be power converted using the power converters (440, 442).

If a device connected to one of the ports (1, 2, 5 and 6) is a power orenergy source or a power load that can not operate with 14.9-volts DCbut can operate at some other voltage in the range of 10-24-volts DC,the device is selected for connection to the bus (410) over one of thepower converters (440) or (442). Once a power converter is selected, thepower converter is configured for the desired operating voltage, and acorresponding FET (480, 485, 490, and 495) is opened to connect thedevice to the bus (410) through a power converter (440, 442). If adevice that requires a voltage conversion is connected to one of theports (1, 2, 5 and 6) and the power converters (440, 442) are alreadybeing used by another devices, the newly connected device is notconnected to the bus (410) and an error signal is generated, e.g. a redlight associated with the corresponding port is illuminated.

The power manager (400) includes a 4-34V scavenger power converter (510)disposed between the 14.9-volt bus (410) and each of the device ports(3, 4). The scavenger converter (510) is in communication with the dataprocessing device (420) and controlled thereby to select a conversionvoltage between 4 and 34VDC depending on an operating voltage of adevice connected to a port (3) or (4). If a device connected to ports(3) or (4) can be operated at 14.9-volt DC, it can be directly connectedto the bus (410) over on of the first power channels that includes theFETs (470, 475). Otherwise, the device is connected to the bus (410)over one of the second power channels that includes the scavengerconverter (510) and one of the FETs (503, 505). Accordingly, the ports(3, 4) can be controlled using the FETs (470, 475, 503, 505) and thevoltage converter (510) to convert 14.9-volt DC outgoing power to othervoltages in the range of 4-34 volts DC or to convert 4-34 volt DCincoming power to the 14.9-volt DC bus voltage. As described above, if adevice that requires a voltage conversion is connected to one of theports (3 and 4) and the power converter (510) is already being used byanother device, the newly connected device is not connected to the bus(410) and an error signal is generated, e.g. a red light associated withthe corresponding port is illuminated.

More generally, the power manager (400) includes a 14.9-volt DC powerbus (410) and any power device, source, load or rechargeable batterythat can operate at 14.9-volts DC can be directly connected to the powerbus (410) over any one of the six ports when the data processing device(420) opens a corresponding connection to the bus (410). Otherwise up to6 devices operating at 14.9-volts DC can be connected to the power bus(410) or at least one power device having an operating voltage in therange of 4-34 volts and at least two power devices having an operatingvoltage in the range of 10-24 volts plus three devices operating at15-volts DC can be connected to the bus (410) simultaneously.

In the present example portable power manager (400), the number of powerconverters provided is less than the number of available device ports inorder to reduce the weight, volume and cost of the power manager device.In order to enable multiple devices ports to share a power converter, aplurality of controllable switches are disposed to route power signalsover selected power channels to either directly connect a power deviceto the power bus or to connected power device to the power bus over apower converter. In other embodiments, additional power converters, suchas one associated with each device port, may be added without deviatingfrom the invention. Each power converter provided is electronicallyisolatable and switchable to enable the power manager to logically mapthe converter inline between the port and bus, using the sharing circuitdescribed herein or a similar isolation circuit (which comprises part ofthe disclosed sharing circuit). Adding additional converters andchanging their association with ports is a matter of changing the costand weight of the power manager device. What is important is that aplurality of converters are available, each individually logicallymapable under the control of the power manager between the powermanager's ports and its bus to effect the conversion of power of powerprovided to or provided by a power manager.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the power manager (400) may include an LCDdisplay (1120) usable to display text and/or graphic symbols. Inaddition, the power manager (400) may include LED's (1230) and (1240)associated with each device port for displaying various port statusconditions such as connected, disconnected or error as well as aremaining charge value associated with a connected energy source. Inaddition, the power manager (400) includes a user interface device (520)that includes keypad elements (1140) that allow an operator to controlthe power manager. Each of the LCD displays (1120), LEDs (1230, 1240)and user interface device (520, 1120) are in communication with the dataprocessor (420) and controlled thereby according an operating systemand/or portions of the energy schema operating on the power manager(400). Accordingly, a user may check status, display a menu, or thelike, navigate through and select items on the displayed menu and/ortoggle keypad keys to select or determine an operating mode or otheraspect of the power manager.

In other embodiments of the power manager (400), the bus voltage andcurrent type (AC or DC) may be configured to meet the demands of theapplication. Similarly, the voltage converters (440, 442, and 510) maybe configured to provide a range of voltage or power outputs that bestmeet the demands of the application. In some example embodiments, atleast one voltage converter (440, 442, and 510) may be configured toconvert 110 or 220VAC to a desired DC bus voltage.

Power Network Configuration

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third, example power network (500) is shownto illustrate another possible power network configuration. The powernetwork (500) includes three substantially identical portable powermanagers (210-A, 210-B, 210-C) connected together to form the powernetwork (500). In this example each power manager (210-A, 210-B, 210-C)is has a 14.9-volt bus and is substantially configured like the powermanager (400) detailed above and has 6 device ports labeled 1-6. Thepower manager (210-A) is connected to two BB-2590 batteries using ports(1, 2, 5, 6). In this case, each BB-2590 battery pack include twoindependent rechargeable batteries and each independent battery isconnected to a different device port by a different cable even thoughonly one connection arrow is shown in FIG. 5.

A scavenged power source is connected to the power manager (210-a) viadevice port (3). The scavenged power source may comprise a wind turbine,vehicle battery or the like, a fuel cell generator, a gasoline poweredgenerator or 110 or 220 VAC power grid port. If needed, the scavengerpower source is converted to 14.9 volts DC by the 4-34 volt scavengerpower converter (510) shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, the 4-34 voltscavenger power converter (510) may be used to limit current or poweramplitude passing there through to protect the power manager (210-A) orotherwise regulate power input.

The power manager (210-A) is connected to the power manager (210-B) viaport (4). The power manager (210-B) is connected to the power manager(210-A) via port (1) and a computer (520) in connected to the powermanager (210-B) via port (2), which is a USB configured device port. Thepower manager (210-B) may deliver power to the computer (520) orrecharge a battery associated with the computer (520) by connecting thedevice port (2) to the power bus. Additionally, a user may exchange databetween the computer (520) and the power manager (210-B) using the USBcommunication protocol to upload or download data, install updatedparameters or code, set up a mission plan, perform diagnostic testingand/or otherwise control or update elements of the power manager (210-B)or the network (500).

A BB-2590 battery is connected to the power manager (210-B) via each ofports (5, 6) and port (3) is used to connect the power manager (210-B)with a third power manager (210-C). A LI-145 14.9-volt battery isattached to the power manager (210-B) via the device port (4). In thisexample network (500), the power manager (210-B) may connect the two14.9 volt batteries associated with the battery device BB-2590 to thetwo device ports (5, 6) and a single 14.9 volt battery device LI-145 todevice port (4) and connect each of device ports (4, 5, 6) directly tothe power bus. The computer (520) connected to device port (2) isconnected to the power bus over the 10-24VDC power converter (440) inorder to convert voltage or control current as required to power thecomputer or recharge the computer battery.

The power manager (210-C) uses port (4) to connect with the powermanager (210-B). A 14.9 volt LI-145 battery is attached to each of ports(1, 2, 5, and 6) of the power manager (210-C) and each of the ports (1,2, 5 and 6) is directly connected to the power bus of the power manager(210-C). In addition, a photovoltaic (PV) solar power source (540) isconnected with the power manager (210-C) through port (3) and the solarpower source is connected to the power bus over the 4-34 volt scavengerconverter (510) of the power manager (210-C).

Port Interface

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic representation of a device portinterface (600) includes a power device (620) a cable (605) and elementsof the power manager (400) shown in FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 6,device port (2) is shown because it includes a USB network interfacedevice. Otherwise, the schematic representation of FIG. 6 is typical ofall the device ports (1-6).

A first end of the cable (605) may be preferably detachable from thepower device (620) but may be permanently attached thereto. A second endof the cable (605) is preferably detachable from the device port (2) butmay be permanently attached. Each end of the cable (605) includes amulti-pin connector that mates with corresponding power manager andpower device connectors.

Each multi-pin connector includes connector pins or sockets for powertransmission. A first power channel extends from the power manager bus(410) through the FET (450) to the port (2) over a cable power channel(630) to a power element (640) included in the power device (620). Asecond power channel extends from the power manager bus (410) throughthe power converter (440) and FET (480) to the port (2) over the cablepower channel (630) to a power element (640) included in the powerdevice (620).

The power element (640) may comprise a power load, a power or energysource or rechargeable battery that includes an energy source and apower load. Initially, the FETs (450) and (480) are closed until thedevice type, voltage and other parameters are read from the device orcable by the power manager processor (420). Once the voltage is knownand determined to be compatible with the device port (2), the powermanager device processor (420) selects to connect the power device (620)to the power bus (410) over the first or the second power channel butmay not immediately connect the device to the bus. Thereafter, theenergy management schema operating on the network manager (400)determines if the device priority and other conditions of the networkare favorable for connecting the power element (640) to the bus (410)and if so, connects the device (620) to the power bus by logicallyclosing the appropriate FET (480) or (450).

The multi-pin connector includes connecting pins or sockets for datacommunications. One or more data communication pathways (655, 665)extend from the network manager data processing device (420) through aselected network interface (650) and/or (660) to the port (2).

From the port (2), the data commutations pathway may go to a cablememory device (670) or to one of two network interface devices (675)and/or (680) associated with the power device (620) and then to a dataprocessing device (685) and/or a memory device (690) associated with thepower device (620).

In various configurations of the port interface (600) neither the powerdevice (620) nor the cable (605) include a data processing device (685).In other instances, the power device (620) does not include a dataprocessing device (685) or a memory (690) and if this is the case, thecable (605) is configured with an incorporated memory device (670) withpower characteristics (e.g. elements of the energy management schema) ofthe corresponding power device (620) stored on the memory (670). In oneexample, the power device (620) may comprise a non-rechargeable batterysuch as a 9-volt C-cell or D-cell battery. In this case, the cable powerchannel (630) is connected with both terminals of the battery and thecable (605) includes a memory (670). Data stored on the memory (670) aselements of the energy management schema provides the device type (e.g.non-rechargeable energy source), a device ID, power characteristics ofthe device (e.g. average value and range of power, current and/orvoltage), and a source or other power priority. This information is readfrom the memory (670) by the power manager data processing device (420)and stored in the power manager memory (430) as part of an integratedenergy management schema.

When the power device (620) includes either a data processing device(685) or a memory (690) that store data, the device type and other powerdata are stored in the power device (620) and read therefrom by thepower manager data processing device (420). In this case, the cable(605) may not include the memory (670). The network interfaces (650) and(680) are connected by a wire or a wireless communication channel andmay comprise a SMBus network link, which is included in every port ofthe power manager (400). The network interfaces (660) and (675) areconnected by a wire or a wireless communication channel and preferablycomprise a USB networking link, which in the present example is includedin only one of the ports of the power manager (400) but which may beincluded in any of the power manager device ports. All of the networkinterfaces (650, 660, 675, and 680) may be incorporated withincorresponding data processing devices (420, 685).

While many power devices (620) communicate power data over an SMBus linkusing the SMBus communication protocol, other power devices such asother power managers (400) may communicate over other communicationlinks and protocols such as IEEE 802.3 (“Ethernet”), IEEE 802.11(“Wi-Fi”), cellular radio network data communications, RS-232 or RS485serial communications, SMBus, or other data communication protocols thatpermit bi-directional (full-duplex or half-duplex) data transfer.Preferably, each device port of the power manager (400) includes one ormore protective elements such as the FETs, (450, 480), the powerconverters (440, 442, 510), and/or diodes, fuses, relay ormicro-switches, or the like (not shown) and/or conductive shielding.(not shown), for protecting the power manager (400) from damage byover-voltage, over-current, reverse polarity, short circuit,electromagnetic interference (EMI), power surges or the like.

The memories (670, 690) and/or the data processing device (685) are usedto store power related data of the energy management schema specificallyassociated with the corresponding power device (620). The power relateddata may include a device ID, desired average max and min voltage andcurrent levels, operating temperature ranges, a device priority setting,a desired network protocol and instructions for reading the powerrelated data. If the device is an energy storage device the data mayinclude its remaining charge value, rated capacity, charging cyclepreferences etc. The memories (670, 690) and/or the data processingdevice (685) may be updated to store new power data either by the powerdevice data processing device (685), by the power manager dataprocessing device (420) or by the computer (520), shown in FIG. 5.Updates may include changes in the power data such as a new powerpriority setting as well as use data such as hours of use, number ofconnector insertions, updated rated capacity or the like.

Connection Sequence

In a typical sequence, a power device (620) is connected to a powermanager (400) by a cable (605). The network controller data processingdevice (420) establishes a communication link with the power device orwith the cable using the SMBus protocol, determines the device ID, thedevice type (e.g. power source, power load or power storage device), andassigns the device a network address. In addition, the networkcontroller data processing device (420) determines the usable devicevoltage and current ranges, configures a power channel to operate at avoltage and current that is within the desired ranges using the FETs(450, 480) and voltage converter (440). Thereafter, the networkcontroller uses the SMBus protocol to manage power exchanges between thepower device and the power manager by opening and closing theappropriate FETs or other switching elements that may be used to connectand disconnect the device from the power bus (410). In addition, a lowvoltage sensor, described below, is disposed to measure a voltage on thepower bus (410). The voltage sensor is in communication with the powermanager data processing device (420) and periodically communicates busvoltage to the data processing device.

More generally, each power device is connected to a power manager (400)via the port interface (600) shown in FIG. 6 and described above. Theport interfaces (600) may all be identical, or depending on the powerdevices, may have different configurations, which can be tailored to theparticular power device or cable to which it is connected and to theparticular power network topology to which it is attached. Ideally, eachport (1-6) has the same electrical connector interface and each cableuses the same connector interface at the port connection, however asshown in FIG. 6, some port interfaces (600) may have additionalcommunication channels, may use wireless communication channels and mayhave expanded functionality depending upon the configuration of thepower device and the power manager. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, thepower manager data processing device (420) establishes a separatecommutation link or network connection with each power device connectedto a port (1-6) and stores data related to each power device in thememory (430). In cases where the connected power device is capable ofbi-directional network communication, e.g. when the connected powerdevice is another power manager, computer, smart power device, the dataprocessing device (420) may include network routing functionality forreading and altering network data packets as required to route thenetwork data packets to intended network addresses or the like.

Routing decisions may be based on a priori (configured) knowledge or maybe based on routing tables and protocols, such as those defined by theIETF Routing Information Protocol (RIP) or Open Shortest Path First(OSPF). Alternatively, routing may be bridged or switched using IEEE802.1d bridge protocols.

Allocation Interfaces

Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram shows one example of how powerdevices attached to a power manager (400) are classified by the energymanagement schema. Power loads are associated with a load powerallocation interface (705) and power and energy sources are associatedwith a source power allocation interface (730) depending upon whetherthe connected device is a power load or a power or energy source. Anenergy storage device such as a rechargeable battery may be associatedwith either interface depending one the power needs of the network or ofthe rechargeable battery.

As described above, the energy management schema determines the poweravailable by summing the average and peak power available from eachdevice associated with the source power interface (730) and stores totalaverage and total peak power values. Thereafter the energy managementschema determines the power load by summing the average and peak powerload of each device associated with the load power interface (705) andstores total average and total peak load values. Thereafter, the devicesassociated with the source power interface (730) and the load powerinterface (705) are sorted by device or source priority and the highestpriority source or sources are connected to the power bus and power isdistributed to the highest priority loads.

In particular, when the power allocation interface (730) has sufficientpower available to meet all of the needs of the network, a rechargeablebattery may be associated with the load power allocation interface (705)and may be recharged whenever the source power interface (730) has metthe power demands of any higher power priority load devices.Alternately, when the power allocation interface (730) has less thansufficient power available to meet all of the needs of the network, arechargeable battery may be associated with the source power allocationinterface (730) and used to deliver power to the bus (410) when otherhigher priority power sources are not available.

The energy management schema may periodically broadcast power discovermessages (710) to connected power managers to discover power sourcesconnected to an extended power network e.g. (500) shown in FIG. 5.Similarly, the energy management schema may periodically broadcast powerrequest messages (720) to connected power managers to request powersources connected an extended power network. In response to the powerrequest messages, other power managers may reply with power confirmmessage (725). In response to the power discover messages (710), otherpower managers may reply with power offer messages (715). Based on therequests and offers, the energy management schema may deliver power toor receive power from a connected power manager.

In a preferred mode of operation of an isolated power manager, e.g. thenetwork (200) shown in FIG. 2, a single primary power or energy sourceis connected to the power bus (410) and exclusively used to meet all thepower demands of the network (200) until the primary source is no longeravailable or cannot meet the demand. If more power is needed, one ormore secondary power sources may be connected to bus (410) to meet powerdemands. Non-selected power sources are not connected to the bus butremain connected to the network and included in the power allocationinterface and the total power available calculations done by the energymanagement schema. When power demands cannot be met, by all availablepower sources, the energy management schema disconnects low prioritypower loads from the bus (410) until more power is available to meet thedemands. However, any devices that are disconnected from the bus arestill connected to the network, polled by the data processing device(420) and included by the load allocation interface (705) and the totalpower available calculations done by the energy management schema. Insome cases the energy management schema may calculate a remainingoperating time of high priority devices given the total power availableand reserve power to operate the higher priority devices for a desiredoperating time by denying power to lower priority devices.

Power Shim

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a fourth example embodiment of a powermanager according to the present invention is a power manager shim(820). The power manager shim (820) is disposed between a power load, inthis case a radio unit (810), and a rechargeable energy source, in thiscase a BB-2590 battery that includes two separate 15-volt batteries(830) and (840) housed in a unitary package. The power shim (820) has across-section sized to match a cross-section of the radio unit (810) andbattery unit housing the batteries (830) and (840) to fit inside a radiounit carrying case so that the power manager shim (820) is substantiallyintegral with the radio unit (810) instead of being carried separately.

The power manager shim (820) includes conductive terminals, not shown,exposed on opposing top and bottom surface thereof. The conductiveterminal each correspond with a device port the power manager shim andare substantially similar to device ports described above except thatthey lack a multi-pin electrical connector. The conductive terminalsdisposed on the top surface of the power manager shim (820) are inmating contact with corresponding conductive terminals disposed on abottom surface of the radio (810). The conductive ports disposed on thebottom surface of the power manager shim (820) are in mating contactwith corresponding conductive terminals on each of the batteries (830,840). The contacting conductive terminals electrically interconnect theradio unit (810) and each of the batteries (830, 840) with the powermanager shim (820). The power manager shim (820) further includesadditional device ports (850) disposed on one or more side surfaces ofthe power shim (820) to interface with additional power devices andexpand the power network formed and controlled by the power shim (820).

Referring to FIG. 9, the power shim (910) includes a 15-volt bus (930)which connects directly to the 15-volt radio battery (840) via aconductive pad device port (975). The second radio battery (830)connects to the 15-volt bus via a conductive pad port (945) whichconnects directly to the power bus (930). A scavenger port (935) passesthrough a sidewall of the power shim (820) and through a scavenger powerconverter (940) to connect and power convert various power and energysupplies to the power bus (930) as they become available.

The power shim further includes a 29.5-volt output power converter (920)and associated 29.5VDC device port (905) that connects to the radio unit(810) via a conductive pad (905). The power shim (820) also includes aninternal AC to DC converter (915) and associated AC input port (925) forconnecting the power shim to an AC power source. In addition, two15-volt ports (965) and (970) connect to the 15-volt bus (930) and maybe used bi-directionally for power loads, power sources and energystorage devices can operate at 15-volts. The power shim also includes asmart converter (960) that includes a network interface and anassociated port (955) for communicating with and powering smart powerdevices or smart cables.

Operating Sequences

In some embodiments of the power manager (400) described above and shownin FIG. 4, the energy management schema may be implemented as computerprograms, such as software or firmware stored on the memory (430) andrunning on the data processing device (420). In other embodiments, theenergy management schema is encoded into a finite state logic array thatimplements the energy management schema as a set of state transitions.

In some embodiments, the energy management schema is driven by eventssuch as device port connection or disconnection events. Other events,such as timer expiration events, can be implemented to supportinterval-based processing of the energy management schema. One suchimplementation is for the power manager to interrogate all attachedpower devices when one or more of the events occurs, and for the powermanager to adjust its power management configuration in response to theinterrogation results. Other events may be generated when part of thepower managers circuitry detects that the power provided by a powersource, the power consumed by a power load, or the voltage or amperageon the power managers' internal bus are not within expected tolerancesfor a connected power device and/or power manager.

In some embodiments, the power manager reacts to specific events withsets of program steps or a sequence of operations uniquely associatedwith that event. One such example is a reaction to the loss of powerfrom a power device connected to the power bus, or an over-current orover-voltage event. Such events may initiate a reaction that causes thepower manager to isolate the offending device from connection to thepower bus or to connect another power or energy source to the power busto prevent a power loss. The events may cause the power manager totoggle one or more controllable switches; change the state of a FET orother semiconductor device, change the operating mode of a powerconverter, or taking some other action. These reactions may bestraightforward and serve to protect the power manager and/or the otherpower devices attached to the power manager. These types of reactionsare appropriate when quick response time is necessary, such as when thepower manager is protecting other power devices from an abrupt change inpower conditions from a currently in use power source and may includequickly connecting a secondary power device to the power bus to preventconnected power loads from an interruption in power when a power sourceis either unexpectedly disconnected, drops in voltage or is otherwiseunable to meet the power demands of the power bus. It is noted that thereactions discussed in this section rely on interval-based processingand therefore have time delays associated with the processing interval.In particular, a loss of power, over-current or over-voltage conditionis detected upon an interval-based query, responded to by an actiontaken by the digital processor (420) and then corrected by an actiontaken on the next interval base query or state update. While theinterval-based queries frequencies may match the processor frequency,some interval-based responses may not be fast enough to prevent a deviceconnected to the power bus from becoming damaged by an over-current orvoltage or from powering down in response to a voltage drop on the powerbus. In cases where interval-based responses are not fast enough, thehot-change-over circuit shown in FIG. 13 can provide a faster reactiontime for responding to a voltage or power drop on the power bus.

In other cases, a set of common processing steps are performed. Thesecommon steps take longer to perform so they are not appropriate in allusages. The common steps provide the power manager with updatedinformation on each power device attached to the power manager, andtypically result in a recalculation of power totals of the allocationinterfaces and the power routing strategy. In some cases, the energymanagement schema causes the power manager to internally reconfigure toimplement the newly recalculated power routing strategy. The internalreconfiguration may include connecting or disconnecting device portsfrom the power bus or adjusting operating modes of a power converter.

In one particular exemplary embodiment, the energy management schema maybe configured to select a primary energy source for exclusive connectionto the power bus. It is noted here that the term primary energy sourceshould not be confused with the term primary cell used to describe anon-rechargeable battery or non-reversible electrochemical reaction. Inparticular, the energy management schema may choose the least-chargedenergy storage device for use as a primary energy source and exclusivelyconnect the primary energy source to the power bus until the charge onthe selected primary energy source is completely used up. Moreover, oncethe primary energy source is fully depleted, the energy managementschema again selects the next least-charged energy storage device foruse as a primary energy source and exclusively connects the selectedprimary energy source to the power bus until the charge on the selectedprimary energy source is completely used up. This sequence of stepsproduces the result that each energy source connected to a power manageris fully depleted of remaining charge before switching to another energysource connected to the power manager. Of course, if a higher prioritysource becomes available, e.g. a power grid, the higher priority sourcewill be selected as the primary source for as long as it is available.

In one embodiment, the network manager (400) may access a coulomb countor another high resolution, high accuracy measure of remaining chargevalue from connected energy storage devices that can provide an accurateremaining charge value. In another example embodiment, detailed furtherbelow, a voltage sensor associated with the power bus may be used tomeasure power bus voltage and to connect one or more additional power orenergy sources to the power when a power bus voltage drops below adesired voltage level. In either case, the power manager of the presentinvention is configured to discharge a energy storage devices to lessthan about 5% of the rated capacity as compared to conventional smartbattery usage where smart batteries are often discarded or changed whenthe remaining charge value is in the 20 to 30% range.

Thus, one aspect of the present invention provides an increase in usablebattery power of 15-20% per battery, resulting in 30-50% better batteryutilization. When beginning these steps, the power manager interrogateseach energy source using its data interface to determine its currentpower attributes, including its remaining charge value, if it can bedetermined. In alternate embodiments, the power manager may observe theenergy being drawn from an energy source connected to the power bus,e.g. by measuring, voltage, current, or energy output, or the like, todetermine or estimate a remaining charge value. When it is determinedwhich energy source has the lower remaining charge value the powermanager may designate that energy source as the primary energy sourcefor exclusive connection to the power bus. In some exemplaryembodiments, the power manager ignores one or more of the energy sourcesbased upon settings of their current power attributes. For example, abattery power source may be ignored if its remaining charge value isbelow a certain percentage threshold of its maximum value, e.g. below2-5%. The power manager may use other means for tracking remainingcharge value such as tracking total energy drawn, length of time inservice, or any other measurable parameter that may predict remainingcharge value.

After the power source is selected, the power manager reconfigures theconnections between the power bus, the ports, and the power convertersin order to operably connect the power source to the power bus. Thisreconfiguration can occur by opening and closing logical switches thatcontrol power flow. In one example embodiment, these logical switchesare FETs as described above. Other technologies, such as micro-switchesor relays may also be used.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a powermanagement decision tree in order to effect aspects of the energymanagement schema operating on a power manager of the present invention.The power management decision process is started at step (10010), whenan event that triggers this process occurs. As shown in the flowchart,this event is when a cable is plugged into a device port or a new powerdevice connection with a device port is somehow recognized by the powermanager. Other events that may trigger step (10010) may include theexpiration of a timer or processor interval, a notification of anexception detected on a device port or power bus, or any otherprocessing step that requires the power manager to recalculate its useand allocation of power. Plugging a cable into the power manageridentifies the port in question, and the energy management schemaautomatically scans information stored on the connected device or theassociated cable to determine if the device is compatible with theselected device port and how the device can be connected to the bus,(steps not shown). Once the connected device information is determinedand associated with the device port, it can be stored in the powermanager memory (step not shown) and the device interrogation step doesnot have to be repeated unless the status of the device port changes orthere are other reasons to continue to interrogate the connected powerdevice. During the interrogation step, the power manager generallydetermines the device type, its communication preferences, average andpeak operating voltages, currents and power ranges and a device power orsource priority.

A first evaluation of the connected device is made at step (10020), inwhich the power manager makes the determination as to whether the newlyconnected device is a rechargeable battery or not. This decision ismade, in part, based upon the information provided to the power managerduring the device attribute interrogation process steps. If the newlyconnected device is a rechargeable battery, processing by the powermanager continues at step (10030), FIG. 10B, where the power managerdetermines if a power source suitable for recharging the rechargeablebattery, (e.g. a generator of some form) is operably connected to thepower manager.

If a power source is available, the energy management schema designatesthe rechargeable battery as ready for recharging according its sourcepriority or according to a recharging priority and, if required,reconfigures the power manager to connect the corresponding device portto the power grid, usually over a power converter, to recharge the newlyconnected battery (steps not shown). If there are a plurality ofrechargeable batteries connected to the power manager, the power managerrecharges the rechargeable batteries in priority order which may includea charging priority established by the energy management schema. In oneexample embodiment, the charging priority is set to designate therechargeable battery with the highest remaining charge value as thehighest charging priority (step 10035).

If a power source suitable for recharging batteries is not available,(step 10030), the power manager checks to see if there are a pluralityof rechargeable batteries operably connected to device ports (step10040). If not, the power manager designates the newly connectedrechargeable battery as an energy source and connects it to the powerbus for discharge. If yes, other rechargeable batteries are operablyconnected to device ports, the energy management schema may keep thebattery on stand by (10050) by not connecting the corresponding deviceport to the power bus (step 10050). Alternately, the energy managementschema may sort the plurality of rechargeable batteries by a sourcepriority and connect the highest source priority to the power bus whiledisconnecting lower source priority source from the power bus (steps notshown). In one example embodiment, the source priority for rechargeablebatteries is set to designate the rechargeable battery having the lowestremaining charge value as the highest source priority for connection tothe power bus. Thus batteries having the lowest remaining charge valueare fully-discharged first while batteries having higher remainingcharge values are in reserve (step 10050).

Continuing from step (10020) in FIG. 10A, when the newly connecteddevice is not a rechargeable battery, the power manager then determinesif the newly connected device is a power source (step 10080). If no,(e.g. it is a load), then the energy management schema checks todetermine if sufficient power is available to power the load (step10090). If sufficient power is available, the device is connected to thepower bus to provide power to the load (step 10095). If not, the deviceis not connected to the power bus and the load remains unpowered (step10098).

If the newly plugged in device is a power or energy source (e.g. it's agenerator-based source or non-rechargeable battery), the power managerdetermines if the port used includes a power converter or is ascavenge-capable port (step 10100). In some exemplary implementations,only some of the ports are scavenge-capable; in other implementations,all ports are scavenge-capable. Moreover, not all power or energysources require power conversion for connection to the power bus. If theport is not scavenge-capable, the power manager checks the operatingvoltages provided by the power source (step 10110), and if the voltagesprovided are compatible with the required voltages on the internal powerbus, the power manager may connect the power source to the internalpower bus, depending on the source priority (step 10118). If the voltageprovided by the power source is not compatible with the requiredvoltages on the internal bus, the source is not connected to the powerbus (step 10115); however, the power manager may display an errorcondition by lighting a red warning light or displaying an error warningon a display device.

If the port is scavenge capable, the power manager checks to determineif the source is a battery (step 10120). If it is, the power manager mayreconfigure its circuitry to connect the battery to the internal bus(step 10125) or simply hold the battery in reserve by not connecting thebattery to the power bus. If the power source is not a battery, thepower manager checks the voltage provided by the power source todetermine if it is compatible with the internal bus (step 10130), and ifso, connects the power source to the internal bus (step 10135). If not,the power manager connects the power source to the power bus over ascavenge power converter associated with the device port (step 10138).

The above example implementation of a new device connection to a powermanager illustrates the types of processing carried out by the energymanagement schema for a new connection. More generally, the energymanagement schema carries out similar process steps for device port at arefresh rate. In this mode the energy management schema periodicallychecks the connection status of every device port, e.g. once per second,to determine what if any conditions have changed and to reevaluate thepower allocation interfaces, power and source priority status and mayreconfigure its circuitry to connect or disconnect various device ports.Moreover, if another power manager is connected to a device port, theenergy management schema may allocate the connected power manager to theappropriate power allocation interface and connect the correspondingdevice port to the power bus if conditions warrant exchanging power witha connected network manager.

External Enclosure

Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, a power manager enclosure (1100) accordingto one aspect of the present invention is shown in isometric view inFIG. 11 and in top view in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 11, the enclosurehas a longitudinal length extending along an x-axis, a transverse widthextending along a y-axis and a thickness extending along a z-axis of thecoordinate axes shown in FIG. 11. Generally the enclosure (1100) housesthe power manager (400) shown in FIG. 4 in a substantially sealed andmechanically and electrically shock-protected package. A top face of theenclosure (1110) includes an display device (1120) such as a liquidcrystal display (LED) for displaying menus, error messages and othertext and graphic symbols as may be required. In other embodiments, adisplay screen is provided. A front side face (1130) includes a userinterface key pad (1140) with four buttons or key pads that generallyinteract with the display device (1120) to provide a user interface. Thekey pads allow a user to navigate through a menu displayed on thedisplay screen and may provide other functionality such as on/off anderror reset. In other embodiments, a user interface may comprise asingle button keypad for simply turning the device on and off and/orresetting the device to clear an error condition. In a preferredembodiment, the external dimensions of the power manager (1100) are3.5×10.6×6.1 cm, (1.4×4.2×2.4 inches) wherein the longitudinal dimension10.6 cm is along the x-axis, the transverse width dimension 6.1 cm isalong the y-axis and the thickness dimension 3.5 cm is along the z-axis.

As shown in the top view of FIG. 12, the device includes six deviceports (1150, 1160, 1170, 1180, 1190, 1200) disposed with two on each endface (1210) and two on a back face (1220). In addition, the top face mayincludes port number 1-6 printed or thereon or otherwise indicated andmay also include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) or otherindicator lights associated with each port 1-6. In particular, a firstset of 5 indicator lights (1230) may be used to display a remainingcharge value of a connected energy storage device. In this embodiment,all five lights lit indicates that the battery connected to the port is80 to 100% charged and one light lit indicates that the batteryconnected to the port is less than 20% charged. A second set of threeLED's or other indicator lights (1240), e.g. colored red, yellow, andgreen, may also be associated with each device port to indicate threestatus levels of the device ports such as green for connected to powerbus, yellow for communicating with the power manager but not connectedto the power bus or red for no device connected, wrong device typeconnected or various other error conditions.

As best viewed in FIG. 11, port connectors (1190) and (1200) may includea flat (1250) or other orienting feature disposed on the port connectorto properly orient cable connectors connected to port connectors.According to one aspect of the present invention, adjacent portconnectors, e.g. (1190) and (1200), are installed with the orientingfeatures (1250) opposed in order to oppositely orient adjacent cableconnectors connected to adjacent port connectors. The orienting features(1250) of adjacent port connectors are opposed to ensure that rightangle cable connectors can be installed in adjacent ports withoutinterfering with each other.

Referring to FIG. 12, the power manager (1100) is formed with portconnectors on three sides. Two port connectors (1150, 1160, 1190, and1200) are disposed on each of the end faces (1210) and each end face(1210) has a dimension equal to the transverse width dimension of thepower manager along the y-axis. Two more port connectors (1170, 1180)are disposed on the back face (1220) and the back face (1220) has adimension equal to the longitudinal length dimension of the powermanager along the x-axis. The front face (1130), top face (1110) andbottom face, not shown, do not include any port connectors. Generally,port connectors are only disposed along one longitudinal face (1220,1130) of the power manager in order to reduce the transverse widthdimension along the y-axis. This reduces the transverse width of thepower manager along the y-axis, approximately by half compared to apower manager that has port connectors disposed on both longitudinalfaces (1220, 1130). In the present embodiment, disposing port connectorson one longitudinal face reduces the transverse width dimension by 11 to12 cm thereby providing a more compact package for man-portableapplications.

Hot-Change-Over Circuit

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 13 an alternate embodiment of the powermanager (400) according to the present invention is shown with a firstembodiment of a hot-change-over connection scheme (1300) shown in FIG.13. The first embodiment hot-change-over connection (1300) includes athird power channel (1310) extending from each device port to the powerbus (410) and a low voltage sensor (1315) for measuring voltage on thepower bus (1315). Each device port is operably connected with a powerdevice (1-N), which in the present illustrative example is a power orenergy source. Each source is grounded by a ground terminal (1350) andincludes a power terminal that can be connected to the power bus overone of three different power channels or conductive paths (1305, 1310,1320).

The first conductive path (1305) corresponds with the first powerchannel or conductive path (525) described above and shown in FIG. 4. Asource (1-N) is directly connected to the power bus over the first powerchannel (1305) by closing a controllable switch or FET (A) to completethe conductive path (1305). The switch (A) corresponds with FET (455) inFIG. 4. The second conductive path (1320) corresponds with the secondpower channel or conductive path described above and shown in FIG. 4. Asource (1-N) is connected to the power bus over the second power channel(1320) by closing a controllable switch (D) to complete the conductivepath (1320). The second conductive path also includes a power converter(440) for making power conversions when the source is connected over thesecond conductive path (1320). The device (D) corresponds with FET (485)in FIG. 4. The third conductive path (1310) includes two controllableswitches, preferably FETs (B) and (C) and a source (1-N) is connected tothe power bus over the third conductive path (1310) by closing both ofthe switches (B) and (C). While all of the switching devices (A, B, C,D) may comprise FETs, other switching elements such as variousswitchable semiconductor devices, micro switches, relay switches, andother electrical components suitable for controlled switching areusable.

Each of the switches (A, B, C, D) is in communication with the digitaldata processor (420) shown in FIG. 4 and described above. In an initialstate, e.g. when there are no power devices connected to device ports,all the switches (A, B, C, D) are open such that all three powerchannels associated with each device port are disconnected from thepower bus (410). When a power device is connected to the device port,the energy management schema operating on the power manager determineswhether the device is a power or energy source or a power load anddecides if and how to connect the device to the power bus.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 13, each of the power devices (1-N)is a source and each source can be connected to the power bus with powerconversion. As each source is connected with the device port, the energymanagement schema initially decides whether to connect each of thesources (1-N) to the power bus over the first power channel (1305), ifpower conversion is not required, or over the second power channel(1320), if power conversion is required or desirable. According to oneaspect of the present invention, the energy management schema may selecta primary source, e.g. device (N), to connect the power bus anddesignate the remaining sources, e.g. (1-3), as non-primary sources. Inparticular, when all of the devices (1-N) are energy storage devices,the energy management schema designates the energy storage device thathas the lowest remaining charge level as the primary source and connectsthe primary energy source e.g. (N) to the power bus (410) by closing oneof the switches (A) or (D). The remaining non-primary sources (1-3) arenot connected to the power bus (410) and the primary energy source isused exclusively to meet all of the power demands of the power managernetwork until the primary source (N) is fully-discharged, disconnectedfrom the device port or replaced or supplemented by a higher prioritypower source such a generated power source.

Referring to the third conductive path (1310), if a device connected tothe device port is determined to be a power or energy source that can beconnected to the power bus without power conversion, the switch (B) isclosed. Otherwise, if the device is determined to be a power load, theswitch (B) remains open. Accordingly, in the present example, the switch(B) is closed for each of the sources (1-N) shown in FIG. 13 and thethird conductive path extends from the device port to the opened switch(C) but not all the way to the power bus (410). As further shown in FIG.13, each switch (C) is directly connected to the low voltage sensor(1315) by a conductive element (1340). While primary source (N) isconnected to the power bus (410) over the first and second powerchannels (1305) and (1320), none of the non-primary sources (1-3) isconnected to the power bus (410).

According to the present invention, the low voltage sensor (1315)produces a low voltage signal in response to a drop in voltage at thepower bus (410). Alternately, the low voltage sensor may comprisevarious sensors used in various locations to measure any parameter thatmight indicate that an undesirable drop in voltage, current or power atthe power bus has occurred. Using the low voltage sensor example, a lowvoltage threshold is preset, e.g. 11.9 volts for a 14.9 volt power bus,and the low voltage sensor (1305) continuously monitors the voltage ofthe power bus (410). If the power bus voltage drops below the lowvoltage threshold, the low voltage signal is generated. The low voltagesignal may comprise an abrupt change in the amplitude of a continuoussignal being output by the low voltage sensor (1315). The low voltagesensor (1315) is in communication with the digital data processor (420),described above, and the low voltage signal is transmitted to thedigital data processor (420) to inform the energy management schema thatan undesirable power bus voltage drop has occurred. However, the lowvoltage signal also passes over the conductor (1340) to each of theswitches (C) and each switch (C) is configured to close in response tothe low voltage signal reaching the switch (C). Accordingly, anoccurrence of the low voltage signal closes all the switches (C) therebyconnected every source connected to a device port to the power bus (410)over the third conductive channels (1310). Moreover, if any of thedevices (1-3) happens to be a power load that is not connected to thepower bus (410), or a power source that can not be connected to thepower bus without power conversion, closing the switch (C) in responseto a low voltage signal will not connect the power load ornon-compatible source to the power bus because the switch (B) is alwaysleft open if the device connected to the device port is a power load ornon-compatible source. However, in other embodiments of the presentinvention, the third power channel (1310) may include a power converterdisposed between the switches (B) and (C) to power convert additionalpower sources for connection to the power bus (410) in response to thelow voltage signal.

Upon receiving the low voltage signal, the digital data processor (420)initiates a reset or other sequence of energy management schema events.These events query each device port, evaluate network status,recalculate the power and load allocation interfaces, connect anddisconnect appropriate device ports to the power bus according to sourceand power priority. In addition, after conditions on the network havebeen stabilized the energy management schema opens all of the switches(C) and may reset the low voltage sensor (1315) to again enable thehot-change-over circuit capability. The arrangement of thehot-change-over circuit (1300) prevents any power loads and specificallymission critical power loads connected to the power bus fromexperiencing a loss of power when a power source delivering power to thepower bus fails, is disconnected, becomes charge depleted or otherwisecauses a voltage drop at the power bus. The hot-change-over circuitprevents prolonged power drops by immediately connected every availablepower or energy source to the power bus in response to the low voltagesignal by closing all of the switches (C). Due to the arrangement of thehot-change-over circuit (1300) the switches (C) may be closed before thelow voltage signal reaches the digital data processor (420). Theresponse time by the hot-change-over circuit (1300) is preferably fasterthan typical processor interrupt and reset sequences to specificallyprevent connected power loads from sensing a voltage drop on the powerbus and shutting down, resetting or otherwise interrupting usefuloperations. Data processing device interrupt and reset sequences may bepreformed at the rate of between 1 and 100 times per second with cycledurations ranging from 10 msec to 1 sec. According to the presentinvention, the switches (C) are preferably closed between 1 and 10 msecafter the low voltage signal is generated and in a preferred embodimentthe switches (C) are closed less than 1 msec after the low voltagesignal occurs.

If the primary power supply is suddenly interrupted, e.g. if a primarybattery becomes fully-discharged or a primary power source is otherwisedisconnected or unavailable, the bus voltage drops enough to trigger thelow voltage sensor (1315). In response to the low voltage signal, eachswitch (C) is immediately closed and latched closed such that at leastone secondary source is connected to bus (410) substantiallyimmediately. This represents a substantial improvement in performanceover traditional CPU-based switching mechanisms and permits the drainingof “dumb” power storage devices without risk of loss of bus power.

A second embodiment of a hot-change-over circuit (1500) is shownschematically in FIG. 15 for a single device port (N). Preferably thehot-change-over circuit (1500) is used at each device port (1-N) that issuitable for connecting with a power or energy source, or thehot-change-over circuit (1500) may used at every device port of a powermanager.

The change over circuit (1500) comprises two conductive paths or powerchannels (1510) and (1320) extending between the power bus (410) and thedevice port (N) with a ground terminal (1350) associated with the deviceport (N). The power channel (1320) includes a power converter (440) anda switching device (D), each described above, disposed between the powerbus (410) and the device port (N). Yje power channel (1320) is used toconnect the device port (N) to the power bus when a power conversationis needed or preferred. The power converter (440) and switching device(D) are each in communication with the power manager data processingdevice (420) and controlled thereby as described above. The powerchannel (1320) may be shared by two device ports such is shown in FIG. 4where the power converter (440) may shared between device ports (1) and(2).

The power channel (1510) includes a single switching device (C) disposedbetween the power bus (410) and the device port (N), which is preferablya semiconductor switching device such as a FET. Logic elements (1312)and (1314) are disposed between the data processing device (420), theswitch (C), and the low voltage sensor (1315). The logic elements allowthe switch (C) to be closed by the data processing device (420) or to beclosed in response to a low voltage signal emitted by the low voltagesensor (1315) thereby connecting the device port (N) to the power bus(420) over the power channel (1510). In the present example the OR gate(1314) is disposed between the data processing device (420) and theswitch (C) and the AND gate (1312) and the OR gate (1314) are disposedbetween the low voltage sensor (1315) and the switch (C).

Initially, each of the switches (C) and (D) is open such that neither ofthe power channels (1510) and (1320) are connected to the power bus(410). The data processing device (420) communicates an input controlsignal (1322) to the OR gate (1314) which emits an output signal to openor close the switch (C). If a power or energy source attached to thedevice port (N) is designated as a primary source by the energymanagement schema, the data processor (420) connects the primary sourceto the power bus over one of the power channels (1510) and (1320) andthe primary source remains connected to the power bus (410) until theprimary source either becomes depleted, is otherwise disrupted, or ischanged to a non-primary source by the energy management schema.

If a power or energy source attached to the device port (N) isdesignated as a non-primary source, the data processing device (420)communicates an input control signal (1318) to the AND gate (1312) toset the AND gate (1312) at a first state. If needed, the data processor(420) communicates an input control signal (1322) to the OR gate (1314),which emits an output signal to open the switch (C) therebydisconnecting the power channel (1510) from the power bus. Alternately,the data processing device (420) communicates an input control signal toopen the switch (D) thereby disconnecting the power channel (1320) fromthe power bus (410). Thereafter any low voltage signal (1316) emitted bythe low voltage sensor (1315) is input to the AND gate (1312) and theAND gate responds by outputting a signal (1317) to the OR gate (1314)which responds by emitting an output signal to close the switch (C)thereby connecting the non-primary source connected to the device port(N) to the power bus (410) over the power channel (1510).

As described above, the hot-change-over circuit (1500) actsindependently of the data processing device (420) by communicating thelow voltage signal (1316) to the AND gate (1312). According to thepresent invention, the combined response time to trigger the AND gate,trigger the OR gate, and close switch (C) is less than 10 msec andpreferably less than 1 msec. After a low voltage signal (1316) hasoccurred, the digital processing device (410) may reset the AND gate(1312), the OR gate (1314), the switch (C) and the switch (D) accordingto conditions of the power network as determined by the energymanagement schema. In further embodiments of the hot-change-over circuit(1500) the switch (D) can be configured with AND/OR gates and connectedto the low voltage sensor (1315) like the switch (C) such that either ofthe switches (C) or (D) can be set for hot changeover.

While the hot-change-over circuit (1300) prevents a loss in power toconnected power loads, it also provides another important benefit inthat it allows a user to continue to use battery power sources untilthey are completely drained of usable power. This is an importantfeature of the power manager of the present invention because a user canfully utilize every battery source without the fear of a power down orperformance interruption of a mission critical device being powered bythe power manager. Moreover, the power manager of the present inventionmay be used with batteries that do not display or otherwise communicateremaining charge level values. In this case, a battery with an unknownremaining charge level can be selected at the primary energy source andused until it is fully-discharged without fear of a power down orinterruption of a mission critical device. Moreover a user may beunaware that a hot-change-over has occurred, however the power managermay display an error signal or other indication that an energy sourceconnected to a port is depleted and not longer usable without rechargingor replacement.

The improved operating mode afforded by the hot-change-over circuit ofthe power manager of the present invention may increase available powerby 20% or more. In the case where a non-rechargeable battery with nocharge level indicator is connected to the power manager of the presentinvention, a user may obtain 30% to 50% more power usage simply bycontinuing to use the battery until it is fully-discharged without thefear of a power down or performance interruption of a mission criticaldevice. In the case where a non-rechargeable battery that has a chargelevel indicator is connected to the power manager of the presentinvention, a user may obtain up to 20% more power usage simply bycontinuing to use the battery until it is fully-discharged and withoutthe fear of a power down or performance interruption of a missioncritical device. In the case of a rechargeable battery connected to thepower manager of the present invention, the rechargeable battery doesnot need to be equipped with a complex and costly coulomb countingcircuit because the battery can be used until it is fully-dischargedwithout the a power down or performance interruption of a missioncritical device.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a set of curves (1400) plot battery voltage onthe left axis vs. percentage of rated charge capacity or remainingcharge level on the bottom axis for five different values of constantcurrent discharge. As can be seen from the curves (1400), the voltageranges from approximately 16 volts when the battery is fully charged toa terminal voltage of 12 volts when the battery is fully-discharged.Based on the curves (1400) a power manager having a hot-change-overcircuit (1300) configured with the low voltage sensor (1315) set atabout 14-volts could effectively utilize approximately 90% to 95% ofavailable charge capacity. This is a significant increase in batterycharge capacity usage as compared to conventional battery usage in manybattery power devices.

As further shown in FIG. 14, the curves (1400) relate to a 12 amp-hourbattery. This means that the fully charged battery is usable for 12 hourwhen drawing a constant current of 1 ampere (defined as one coulomb ofcharge per second). While the example battery may be used for a longerduration when drawing less current or a shorter duration when drawingmore current, a 1 ampere current draw is used for the following example.In the case where the battery associated with the curves (1400) is usedto deliver a constant current of 1 amp to a power manager, thehot-change-over circuit (1300) may provide an additional 2.4 hours ofbattery usage as compared to discarding the battery as soon as an LEDcharge level indicator shows 20% or less charge capacity remaining.

It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that, while theinvention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments, itis not limited thereto. Various features and aspects of the abovedescribed invention may be used individually or jointly. Further,although the invention has been described in the context of itsimplementation in a particular environment, and for particularapplications (e.g. as a portable DC power manager), those skilled in theart will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and thatthe present invention can be beneficially utilized in any number ofenvironments and implementations where it is desirable to manage powerdistribution to portable power devices, to network power devices, todistribute power according to power priority settings, to scavenge powerfrom a variety of power sources, to change power sources withoutpowering down connected power loads and to more fully utilize batteryenergy sources. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should beconstrued in view of the full breadth and spirit of the invention asdisclosed herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A power management system, comprising: a DCpower bus; a power manager shim enclosure comprising a first wall, asecond wall, opposed to the first wall, and one or more sidewallsextending between the first wall and the second wall; wherein the firstwall includes a first device port configured as a first conductive padconnected to the DC power bus over a unidirectional DC to DC outputconverter; wherein the second wall includes a second device portconfigured as a second conductive pad connected directly to the DC powerbus; a first external DC power device comprising a first externalconductive pad terminal disposed in mating contact with the firstconductive pad; a second external DC power device comprising a secondexternal conductive pad terminal disposed in mating contact with thesecond conductive pad; wherein the power manager shim draws power fromthe second external DC power device to the DC power bus and distributespower from the DC power bus to the first external DC power device overthe unidirectional DC to DC output converter.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the second external DC power device comprises a battery unithousing one or more rechargeable batteries therein; wherein: the secondconductive pad comprises a plurality of second conductive pads eitherdirectly connected to the DC power bus or connected to the DC power busover a one way DC to DC input power converter; wherein: eachrechargeable battery incudes a second external conductive pad terminaldisposed in mating contact with one of the plurality of secondconductive pads; wherein: the power manager shim draws power from one ormore of the one or more rechargeable batteries to the DC power bus anddistributes power from the DC power bus to the first external DC powerdevice.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first external DC powerdevice is a radio unit.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein across-section of the first wall and the second wall of the power managershim define a cross-section of the power manager shim enclosure:wherein: the power manager shim enclosure is sized to match across-section of the first external DC power device.
 5. A power managershim configured to be disposed between a DC power load and a DC power orenergy source, the power manager shim comprising: a top wall formed witha top power load surface; at least one top device port associated withthe top power load surface configured to electrically couple with the DCpower load; a bottom wall opposing the top wall formed with a bottompower or energy source surface; at least one bottom device portassociated with the bottom power or energy source surface and configuredto electrically couple with the DC power or energy source; a DC powerbus directly connected to the bottom device port; a DC to DC outputconverter connected between the DC power bus and the at least one topdevice port; control electronics configured to control operation of theDC to DC output converter, wherein the control electronics includes amemory and a processor and a sidewall comprising one or more sidewallsurfaces extending between the top wall and the bottom wall; and atleast one sidewall device port disposed on one of the one or moresidewall surfaces.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising one ormore sidewall device ports disposed on one or more of the one or moresidewalls: wherein: the one or more sidewall device ports are directlyconnected to the DC power bus, connected to the DC power bus over aunidirectional DC to DC input converter, or connected to the DC powerbus over a unidirectional DC to DC output converter.
 7. A power managercomprising: a DC power bus; a first device port connected to the DCpower bus over a unidirectional DC to DC output power converter; asecond device port directly connected to the DC power bus without apower converter; a third device port connected to the DC power bus overa unidirectional DC to DC input power converter, over a unidirectionalDC to DC output power converter, or directly connected to the DC powerbus without a power conversion: a data processing device and associatedmemory device electrically interfaced with each of DC to DC powerconverters, wherein the power manager includes: a first wall configuredto electrically interface with a first external DC power load over thefirst device port; a second wall configured to electrically interfacewith a first external DC power or energy source over the second deviceport; and at least one sidewall extending between the first wall and thesecond wall; wherein the first device port comprises a first conductivepad formed on the first wall for electrically interfacing with a firstexternal conductive pad corresponding the first DC power load by matingcontact between the first conductive pad and the first externalconductive pad; wherein the second device port comprises a secondconductive pad formed on the second wall for electrical interfacing witha second external conductive pad corresponding with the first externalDC power or energy source by mating contact between the secondconductive pad and the second external conductive pad, wherein the thirddevice port extends from the at least one sidewall.
 8. The power managerof claim 7 wherein the first wall is disposed opposing the second walland the at least one sidewall extends between the first wall and thesecond wall, wherein: the first wall and the second wall are configuredwith a cross-section sized to match a cross section of a surface of thefirst external power load, a surface of the first external DC power orenergy source, or a surface of both of the first external power load andthe first external DC power or energy source.
 9. The power manager ofclaim 7 further comprising: an AC input port formed on the at least onesidewall for connecting the power shim to an AC power source and an ACto DC input power converter connected between the AC input port and theDC power bus.
 10. The power manager of claim 7 further comprising athird conductive pad formed on the second wall for electricallyinterfacing with a second external conductive pad corresponding a secondDC power or energy source by mating contact there between.
 11. Thesystem of claim 5, further comprising a sidewall device port configuredas an AC input port connected with an external AC power source whereinthe AC device port is connected to the DC power bus over an AC to DCinput converter enclosed within the power manager shim.
 12. A powermanager shim as recited in claim 5, wherein a cross section of the powermanager shim, as defined b longitudinal and transverse dimensions of thetop wall and the bottom wall, is sized to match a cross-section of theDC power load.
 13. A power manager shim as recited in claim 5, whereinthe power manager shim is substantially integral with the DC power load.14. A power manager shim as recited in claim 5, wherein: the at leastone sidewall device port is a plurality of sidewall device ports and thepower load is a plurality of power loads, wherein each power load can beconnected to the DC bus by connection with the at least one top deviceport or by connection with one of the plurality of sidewall deviceports; wherein the at least one bottom conductive terminal device portis a plurality of bottom device ports and the DC power or energy sourceis a plurality of DC power or energy sources, wherein each DC power orenergy source can be connected to the DC power bus by connection withone of the plurality of device ports or with one of the plurality ofsidewall device ports; and wherein the control electronics areconfigured to select from the plurality of DC power or energy sources aprimary DC power or energy source for powering the DC power bus; and,select from the plurality DC power or energy sources for powering to theDC power bus, a secondary DC energy source for powering the DC powerbus; as well as configured to configure a hot-change-over circuitassociated with the device port corresponding with the primary DC poweror energy source and the device port corresponding with the DC secondarypower or energy source to while sensing a power amplitude at the DCpower bus, connect, by the hot-change-over circuit, the secondary powersource to the DC power bus in response to the power amplitude at the DCpower bus falling below an acceptable threshold.
 15. A power managershim as recited in claim 14, wherein the control electronics are furtherconfigured to poll each of the plurality of device ports to characterizeeach external DC power load and each external DC power or energy sourceconnected thereto.
 16. A power manager shim as recited in claim 5,further comprising a unidirectional DC to DC input converter disposedbetween the DC power bus and at least one bottom device port wherein thecontrol electronics is further configured to control operation of theunidirectional DC to DC input power converter.
 17. A power manager shimas recited in claim 5, further comprising a second unidirectional DC toDC input converter disposed between the DC power bus and the at leastone sidewall device ports, wherein the control electronics is furtherconfigured to control operation of the second unidirectional DC to DCinput power converter.
 18. A power manager shim as recited in claim 5,further comprising a second unidirectional DC to DC output converterdisposed between the DC power bus and the at least one sidewall deviceports, wherein the control electronics is further configured to controloperation of the second unidirectional DC to DC output power converter.19. A power manager shim as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least onetop device port is a conductive pad device port.
 20. A power managershim as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least one bottom device portis a conductive pad device port.